Bandh hits normal life; safe passage for Shirui Lily Fest
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 22 2025: Even as normal life across the valley districts of the state was severely affected on Thursday amid the 48-hour general strike called by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), vehicles travelling to Shirui Lily festival in Ukhrul district were allowed safe passage.

The general strike, which began on Wednesday midnight, was called in protest against the removal of the word "Manipur" from a Manipur State Transport (MST) bus that was ferrying journalists to Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul earlier on Tuesday.

Though the shutdown paralysed daily life in Imphal and neighbouring districts, vehicles heading to the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district were allowed safe passage with the protesters expressing support for the cultural event, which returned after a two-year hiatus, and welcomed festival-bound travellers without obstruction.

Throughout Thursday, the five valley districts - Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Jiribam - witnessed widespread shutdowns.

Educational institutions, commercial establishments, and government as well as private offices remained closed.

Public carriers were off the roads as protesters enforced the strike across major urban centres, suburban and rural areas as well.

In several parts of Imphal East and Imphal West, including Wangkhei, Khurai, Kongba, Kwakeithel and Naoremthong, locals turned out early to enforce the bandh.

Demonstrators burned tyres and blocked roads, voicing outrage over the incident involving the MST bus.

In Bishnupur district, particularly in Kumbi, protestors intercepted security vehicles and pasted posters bearing the word "Manipur" in defiance of what they described as an attempt to erase the state's identity.

The incident that triggered the unrest occurred on May 20, when personnel of the Mahar Regiment allegedly ordered the removal or concealment of the word "Manipur" from the MST bus transporting media personnel to the Shirui Lily Festival.

The act drew swift condemnation from civil society organisations and public, while COCOMI launched a protest campaign demanding accountability from top officials.

COCOMI has called for the resignation of security advisor Kuldiep Singh, DGP Rajiv Singh, and chief secretary Pradeep Kumar Singh, while also demanding an apology from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

The committee has warned that it will intensify the agitation if the state government fails to act within the 48-hour deadline.

On Wednesday, COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba described the removal of the state name as a "deliberate insult" and urged the people to resist all attempts and designs to undermine Manipur's territorial integrity.

He urged citizens to raise slogans demanding the withdrawal of President's Rule from the state and indicated that the committee would chart its next course of action after the 48-hour deadline expires.

Thursday also saw heightened security deployment across the capital.

Central forces took positions at key intersections and major roads, including those leading to Raj Bhawan, to prevent any untoward incidents.

No major clashes or violent disruptions were reported, although effigies of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Governor Bhalla, chief secretary, DGP and security advisor were set on fire at Bishnupur Keithel by Meira Paibi members.

The activists chanted slogans such as "No to division of Manipur" and "Long live Manipur", while resisting attempts by security personnel to disperse them.

Support for the bandh also poured in from Thoubal district, where a sit-in protest was organised by the Apunba Meira Paibi Lup at Waithou among other locations.

At the conclusion of the protest, the women demonstrators shouted slogans condemning the incident and demanding the departure of the Governor in Case he fails to act.

They also demanded accountability from the security forces concerned.

Protestors could also be seen in Jiribam district enforcing the bandh disrupting normal life.

Meanwhile, COCOMI Students' Front convenor Sukham Bidyananda called on the public to ensure total enforcement of the bandh on its second day.

He criticised the inquiry committee set up by the government, dismissing it as a ploy to divert attention and suppress the issue and reiterated that the demand for resignation of the top officials remains non-negotiable.

In the academic sector, Manipur University and Dhanamanjuri University postponed all scheduled examinations due to the strike.

On Wednesday, a rally was taken out by students and staff of schools in Hiyanglam and Wabagai area, namely, BM School of Excellence Learning, Grace Reach Academy, Val Vidyalaya Bhawan and Pole Star School in protest against the blocking of DIPR bus carrying media persons at Gwaltabi.

During the rally, which started from Hiyanglam Lai Phangalba and culminated at Hiyanglam-Wabagai Lamkhai Keithel, students and teachers held placards and chanted slogans against the incident.

Similarly, as part of joint protest of AMUCO, Poirei Leimarol, AMAWOVA, COHR and MSF, units of Kakching District United Clubs' Organisation (KADUCO) staged sit-in protests in various parts of the districts on Thursday.

All Kakching Khunou United Clubs' Organisation (AKUCO) and All Kakching Khunou Meira Paibee Welfare Association protested at Kakching Khunou Keithel; Lamjao, Langmeidong, Laimanai, Tejpur United Clubs' Organisation (LATUCO), Khunggang Shemgat Shagatpa Lup (KSSL), Lamjao, Peace Keeping and Protection Committee (PKAPC), Lamjao and Lamjao Apunba Meira Paibee Lup (LAMPL), Lamjao at Lamjao Mayai Leikai; Eight Stars United Clubs' Organisation (ESUCO) Head Office Kor-shantabi at Tangjeng Khunou community hall; and Social and Economic Development Organisation (SEDO), Hiyanglam and Hiyanglam Meira Paibis at Hiyanglam Lai Pangalba Keithel shed.

Public also came but in large numbers to enforce the general strike by blocking of roads as residents of Pangantabi Makha Leikai set on fire various materials to block the Kakching-Sugnu road.

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