Protests continue over Gwaltabi incident
Civil Society Organisations may differ in approach, but are united by a Common Objective: AMUCO
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 27 2025: Protests over the May 20 Gwaltabi incident continued across the state on Tuesday, with demonstrators demanding the resignation of the Governor, security advisor, director general of police, and chief secretary for their alleged silence on the matter.

The protests stemmed from the concealment of the state's name from a Manipur State Transport bus at Gwaltabi on May 20, which demonstrators described as a deliberate act to obliterate Manipur's identity.

Protestors representing various organisations took to the streets in response, forming a human chain from Singjamei to Lilong along the Imphal-Moreh highway.

Protests continue over Gwaltabi incident

The demonstration was joint ly organised by All Maniput United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO), Committee on Human Rights (CoHR), All Manipur Women's Voluntary Association (AMAWOVA), Poirei Leimarol Apunba Meira Paibi Manipur, and Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF), in association with Singjamei-Lilong United Cubs Organisation and Singjamei-Lilong Meira Paibi Apunba Lup.

Protesters held placards reading, "Self-determination is our birthright", "Manipur cannot be erased", "We oppose GoI's policy to erase Manipur", "Stop divide and rule policy", and "Repeal colonial law AFSPA" .

Speaking to the media, AMUCO secretary general Pratap Leishangthem contended that the Gwaltabi incident was part of a larger conspiracy to erase the existence of Manipur.

He criticised the silence of the Governor, chief secretary, security advisor, and DGP, stating that their collective obduracy to sentiment of the people suggest complicity.

"If they had nothing to hide, they would have spoken out by now," Pratap expressed, demanding that they should take full responsibility and step down from their posts.

He added: "People have lost trust in them and even in the President's Rule" .

Noting, that AMUCO and its partner organisations have consistently stood for the unity and integrity of Manipur, Pratap accused the Government of India of treating the state unfairly and attempting to disintegrate it by dividing communities and stifling dissent.

He added that although civil society organisations may differ in approach, they are united by a common objective.

"There should be no question on uniting the CSOs.

What matters most is unity in the pursuit of a shared goal," he said.