48-Hour Shutdown Paralyzes Life in Manipur Valley Amid Tensions Over Erased State Identity
Normal life across Manipur’s valley districts came to a grinding halt for the second consecutive day on Friday, as a 48-hour total shutdown called by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) — a key Meitei community organization — entered its final stretch. The shutdown was launched in fierce protest against the alleged removal of the state’s name, “Manipur,” from a government-run transport bus on May 20.
Markets, shops, commercial establishments, government and private offices, banks, and educational institutions all remained shuttered, while public and private vehicles stayed off the roads. Only emergency services and security forces were exempt from the widespread suspension of activity. In Imphal East district, a few roadside vegetable vendors initially attempted to set up their stalls on Friday morning but were swiftly asked to vacate by bandh supporters.
According to COCOMI, the bandh commenced at midnight on Wednesday and was scheduled to conclude at midnight on Friday. While the shutdown exerted a powerful hold over the valley, it had minimal impact in the surrounding hill districts, particularly those dominated by the Kuki-Zo-Hmar and Naga communities.
In several areas of Bishnupur and Thoubal districts, COCOMI supporters — many of them women — intercepted vehicles belonging to security forces and affixed printed placards reading “Manipur/Kangleipak” on their windshields. “Kangleipak” is the ancient name of Manipur in the Meitei language and has been invoked as a symbol of indigenous identity.
The protest intensified on Thursday night, when hundreds of demonstrators staged a torch rally spanning nearly two kilometers through Imphal, chanting slogans like “Manipur cannot be obliterated.” The symbolic march underscored the depth of emotion tied to what the community perceives as an affront to the state’s identity.
Authorities reported that the shutdown, while disruptive, had not yet led to any major incidents. Nevertheless, a large number of central and state security personnel were deployed across the valley to maintain order and preempt any escalation.
Flashpoint: Media Blocked, Signage Removed
The crisis was sparked by an incident on May 20, when a bus carrying journalists and officials from the state Information and Public Relations Department was reportedly stopped by security personnel at Gwaltabi in Imphal East district. The team was en route to Ukhrul district to cover the inaugural ceremony of the five-day Shirui Lily Festival.
According to the All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) and the Editors Guild Manipur (EGM), the security personnel allegedly forced the media team to conceal the words “Manipur State Transport Corporation” on the bus — a move viewed as deeply disrespectful and politically charged. In response, both media organizations launched a symbolic “pen-down” protest on Wednesday, denouncing what they termed a deliberate insult to the press and the people of Manipur.
The state government, under pressure from civil society and political leaders alike, quickly moved to establish a two-member inquiry committee. The panel, headed by Home Commissioner N. Ashok Kumar and IT Secretary Th. Kirankumar Singh, has been tasked with investigating the incident and is expected to submit its findings within 15 days. The Chief Secretary’s office confirmed the committee would identify any lapses and recommend safeguards to avoid similar controversies in the future.
COCOMI Demands Apology, Resignations
Reacting strongly to the incident, COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba condemned the alleged removal of the word “Manipur” from the bus and demanded a formal apology from the state’s Governor, Ajay Kumar Bhalla. The group also called for the immediate resignation of three top officials: Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh, and Director General of Police Rajiv Singh — holding them accountable for what it called a failure to uphold the dignity and identity of Manipur.
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Political Fallout
The controversy has drawn sharp reactions across the political spectrum. Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba, and former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh joined several other political leaders and civil society organizations in condemning the incident.
Tensions Around Shirui Lily Festival
The controversy unfolds amid heightened tensions surrounding the Shirui Lily Festival, which runs from May 20 to 24 in Ukhrul district. Though the festival honors the Shirui Lily — Manipur’s state flower — and is largely organized by Meitei-led groups, it is being held in a predominantly Kuki tribal area. Reports of threats directed at Meitei participants have prompted the state government to step up security arrangements across the region.
With identity politics once again igniting deep-seated tensions in the ethnically diverse state, Manipur finds itself in a precarious moment — one where symbols, names, and gestures are not mere semantics but charged markers of belonging and resistance.
|Also Read : First Tripartite Talks Between Meiteis, Kuki-Zo-Hmar and Centre Since Manipur Ethnic Violence Begin |
