Governor gives slip to protesters taking a copter
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 26 2025: Upon his arrival from New Delhi today, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla left Tulihal International Airport for Raj Bhavan on a helicopter, avoiding a large number of waiting protesters along the Tiddim Road demanding an apology from him for the Gwaltabi incident.

Hundreds of people, including students from different educational institutions, had stepped out to form a human chain from Tulihal International Airport to Keishampat Junction holding placards along the side of Tiddim Road.

Heavy security measures were taken up along the protest route with the deployment of a large number of State and Central forces including CRPF, BSF, Assam Rifles, RAF and State Police personnel at the entry point of every locality.

During the protest, one of the protesters at Kwakeithel attempted to strangulate himself with a police rope used for crowd control.

Imphal West SP Ksh Shivakanta along with other police personnel intervened and safely rescued the protester.

As a large number of protesters gradually gathered at Kwakeithel Bazar, security personnel fired a single round of tear gas shell in an attempt to disperse the crowd.

However, the crowd remained firm and the protest continued with the protesters holding placards and banners with messages such as "President's Rule must stop insulting Manipur", "Tender apology to Manipur or leave Manipur", "Chief Secretary, DGP and Security Advisor should resign" and "Governor must tender apology".

Students who came out to join the protest from Mayaikoibi to Kwakeithel Bazar were stopped by security personnel by setting up iron barricades in the middle of the road leading to Mayaikoibi from Kwakeithel Traffic Junction.

The students shouted the slogans "Long live Manipur" and "Tender apology to Manipur".

A heated argument also broke out between the protesters and high ranking officers of State police at Kwakeithel Bazar.

Around 2 pm, the Governor's carcade left for Tulihal International Airport to receive and escort him back to Raj Bhavan.

The New Delhi-Imphal flight carrying the Governor arrived at the airport around 2.30 pm.

However, Governor Bhalla remained inside the airport till 3.10 pm before being airlifted from Tulihal International Airport to Kangla, completely bypassing road travel and the waiting protesters.

As the helicopter with the Governor on board took off and made its way to Kangla, protesters standing along the roadside shouted in frustration with some calling the Governor a "coward".

Angered with the Governor's decision to take the aerial route, irate womenfolk took out a protest rally towards Raj Bhavan from Kwakeithel Bazar area.

However, they were stopped by security personnel deployed at Kwakeithel Traffic Junction.

Further, aggrieved protesters in Kwakeithel area made an effigy of Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and attempted to bum it.

But the timely action of police personnel snatching the effigy from the crowd prevented it from happening.

During the protest, the Keishampat bridge was entirely sealed by setting up iron barricades, parking security vehicles and preventing public vehicles from going towards the Raj Bhavan.

Heavy security measures were also enforced by security forces with the deployment of a large number of security personnel along all the major roads leading towards the Raj Bhavan.

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