Peaceful protest, so far
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: May 30, 2025 -

THE application filed by the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) under the Right to Information (RTI) Act seeking details from the home department and the defence ministry's central public information officer, on the controversial directive by the Mahar Regiment to conceal 'Manipur' from the Manipur State Transport bus carrying journalists to cover the Shirui Lily festival on May 20 at Gwaltabi, and registration of a case in the High Court of Manipur with one Dr Bachaspatimayum Deben Sharma as the petitioner appear to be the right move in cornering the cuIprit(s) behind the sordid Gwaltabi incident.

In protest against the army unit's insistence for removing the state's name from the government-owned bus, there has been relentless public movement for over a week in pursuance of the demand for an apology by the Governor to the people of Manipur and for resignation of the three top security officials.

Contrary to the people crediting the Governor for cessation of violent confrontations between Kuki and Meetei communities after the state was brought under the President's Rule (PR) in February, there is no doubt that the Gwaltabi incident has made a serious dent on Ajay Kumar Bhalla's credentials as a shrewd administrator, as believed to be.

Similarly, whatever goodwill the public had for the chief secretary, the DGP and the security advisor for the semblance of peace returning in the state since imposition of the PR is certain to have dissipated as the people now have strong suspicion about their involvement in the Gwaltabi case, which is the root cause for hundreds of protesters hitting the streets on a daily basis for the last few days.

That the unrest situation is no more confined to the state could also be comprehended from condemnation notes issued by the journalist fraternity from across the nation and the Ministry of Home Affairs inviting agitation-spearhead COCOMI to New Delhi to discuss issues besieging the state and steps to defuse the escalating tension.

The centre might not yield to the people's demands for punitive action against whoever is responsible for the Gwaltabi incident, which amount to obliterating Manipur, but the complaint filed by the MPCC to the commissioner (home), seeking information on who directed 'Manipur' to be erased from the MST bus and why, and an individual, aided by rights activists Khaidem Mani and Rakesh Meihoubam as the counsels, approaching the High Court on the same issue, would put tremendous pressure on the administrators under the PR government to clarify their positions.

With the state's masses up in arms against the attitude and conduct of the Mahar Regiment, which many view as yet another act of excesses committed by security forces, and outright dishonour of Manipur and the people, the PR government can't remain indifferent to either the unrest situation or the demand for action against the guilty party.

Those helming the state's affairs should acknowledge that compared to seriousness of the Gwaltabi issue and upsurge of emotion over an act akin to obliterating Manipur, the protesters have been exhibiting great maturity by holding democratic mode of demonstrations.

However, there is no guarantee that the protesters would be satisfied only by chanting slogans and displaying of placards in denunciation of government inaction if the issue remains unaddressed.