Rajya Sabha MP writes to Governor over Gwaltabi incident
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 24 2025: Rajya Sabha MP Sanajaoba Leishemba has written a letter to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, expressing "great anguish and heavy heart" over the May 20 incident at Gwaltabi village where a group of state-sponsored journalists were allegedly stopped by defence personnel and compelled to remove the word "Manipur" from a Manipur State Transport bus heading towards Ukhrul.

In the letter, dated May 24 and also copied to the chief secretary, security advisor, and DGP, the MP described the episode as "very unfortunate" and questioned the bizarre nature of the actions taken by the personnel from Mahar Regiment.

The journalists, who were travelling to Ukhrul to cover the 5th Shirui Lily Festival, were forced to turn back to Imphal without covering the event after being asked to remove the signage bearing the word "Manipur".

"This is an unheard kind of attitude acted by our defence personnel shattering the trust reposed on them by civilians," the MP wrote.

He underscored the sensitive and vital role played by journalists in society, referring to them as the "fourth pillar of democracy", and questioned the rationale behind preventing them from travelling in a government bus marked with the name of the state within Manipur itself.

Raising serious concerns about the motive behind the incident, Sanajaoba Leishemba questioned whether the army personnel acted independently or under instructions from higher authorities.

"Whether the army personnel acted on their own whim or with instruction from administrative authority will come to light only from a thorough investigation," he stated, adding that failure to do so would raise doubts about the accountability of the current government and reduce it to a "lame duck government in the public eye" .

He urged the Governor to take the matter seriously, especially at a time when the state is "gradually inching towards normalcy" following two years of conflict.

He stated that security agencies should make efforts to provide a "healing touch" and avoid "irresponsible acts" .

Calling for fairness and justice, the MP wrote, "It is also felt that our armed forces and law enforcing agencies should show restraint by avoiding partiality and through act of fairness and justice.

The blatant carelessness and suppressive measures should be done away with".

The titular king of Manipur also appealed to the Governor to use his experience as a seasoned bureaucrat to help restore peace and justice in the state.

He expressed hope that the wrongdoers involved in the Gwaltabi incident would be identified and "exemplary action" taken against them to prevent such incidents in future.

"Manipur is expecting a lot from your administration at least by giving peace a chance to return in the state," the MP stated, adding that the people of Manipur are eagerly looking forward to a resolution and accountability over the matter.

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