COCOMI chides Governor's chopper ride
Shutdown of central institutions today, schools exempted
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 26 2025: Taking strong exception of Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla's return to his residence via a helicopter from the Tulihal airport, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) convenor in-charge Warepam Second accused the Governor of ignoring the people's sentiments, terming the chopper ride act of cowardice.

In a press meet held at Kwakeithel on Monday, Second said that the people are unsatisfied with the response of the Governor, the chief secretary, the security advisor and top officials with regard to the Gwaltabi incident.

Accordingly, a 48-hour general strike was imposed along with demanding an apology from the Governor and mass protests commencing from Sunday.

He continued that when Governor Ajay Bhalla returned from Delhi on Monday, the people were waiting on the sides of the Tiddim road as a democratic protest.

However, instead of taking the land route from the airport to his Bungalow, Bhalla took a helicopter ride to reach Raj Bhavan.

"This indicates that he is intentionally ignoring and disrespecting the sentiments of the people, which is highly condemnable," Second said, describing the Governor's behaviour as cowardly.

Informing that protests would continue, Second reiterated the call for the Governor to issue an apology, while demanding the resignation of the security advisor, the chief secretary and the DGP .

Second then announced that all central institutions would be closed down on Tuesday with the exception of education, health and essential services.

Meanwhile, memorandums would be submitted to the DCs concerned, he said, while urging the people to extend their cooperation in this regard.

Chipping in COCOMI Women Wing convenor RK Tharaksana said that the Governor's behaviour is an admission of his mistake, and has only further fuelled the people's anger.

Comment