Army 'harassment' of scribes sparks widespread condemnations
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 20 2025: Various civil society organisations expressed strong condemnations after a media team en-route to covering the 5th Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district was halted by Mahar Regiment in Gwaltabi area and asked to conceal the word 'Manipur' from the Manipur State Transport (MST) bus carrying the journalists.

The incident occurred on Tuesday after personnel of the army unit raised objection against word 'Manipur' displayed on the state-run vehicle, prompting the media team to abandon their official assignment and return to the state capital.

Gwaltabi under Imphal East district is around 25 kilometres from the capital city Imphal.

Joining the condemnation chorus, women vendors of Khwairamband Keithel alleged hidden agenda by the Manipur Governor aimed at dividing the state.

They questioned rationale for the Mahar Regiment directing the journalists to conceal the word 'Manipur' printed on the MST bus, terming the incident as a serious affront to Manipur's administrative integrity.

Demanding accountability for such irrational conduct, the women vendors queried whether such instructions were issued with the knowledge or approval of higher authorities and called for swift disciplinary action against those involved.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) member and Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Ningombam Bupenda Meitei, also expressed grave concern over the prolonged restrictions on free movement in the state, calling it a failure of both the Union and state administrations.

Addressing the media at Congress Bhawan, here, Bupenda said the Congress party was deeply disturbed by the inability of the Union government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the state government-currently under President's Rule-to guarantee the fundamental right to free movement across the state since May 3, 2023.Referring to the incident involving the MST bus carrying media persons to the Shirui Lily Festival 2025 in Ukhrul district, he termed as 'shocking' that security forces asked that the word 'Manipur' be covered on the vehicle and told journalists not to use the term.

He condemned the move as a violation of Article 19 of the Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to move freely within the country.

"If even a state transport vehicle is not allowed to move freely within Manipur, how can the common people feel safe?" Bupenda questioned.

He blamed the "double engine government" for failing to restore normalcy and said the imposition of President's Rule had also not improved the situation or safeguarded basic rights and freedoms.

The Congress leader demanded immediate intervention from the Union Government and the Governor of Manipur to uphold constitutional values and ensure the restoration of unrestricted movement throughout the state.

He then reiterated the Congress party's demand for the restoration of the people's right to move freely in Manipur without fear or obstruction.

Republican Party of India (Athawale) Manipur Unit has called for constituting an enquiry committee to investigate into the incident of journalists instructed by personnel from the central army's Mahar Regiment to conceal the word 'Manipur' displayed on the front windshield of the bus at Gwaltabi along the Imphal-Ukhrul road.

Addressing media persons on Tuesday, RPI (A) Manipur president Maheswar Thounaojam condemned the directive, calling it "anti-national" and an insult to the people of Manipur.

He questioned the authority of central forces to impose such an order within the territorial limits of the state and demanded an immediate clarification from the central government.

Meanwhile, denouncing the army's conduct, members of Imagi Meira, a women's organisation, tried to storm the office of security advisor Kuldiep Singh, demanding accountability and answers on the incident.

They were, however, prevented from reaching the targeted office by the police.

Meanwhile, criticising the army action as a serious violation of journalists' fundamental rights, retired Manipur University Anthropology professor W Nabakumar urged for swift intervention from the authorities, stating that such treatment of media persons, the fourth pillar of democracy, was deeply concerning.

Kohima Press Club (KPC), Nagaland also expressed shocked over harassment meted out on journalists by security personnel at Gwaltabi while they Were on their way to cover the inaugural function of Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul.

"It is a matter of great concern that journalists are being harassed in the line of duty time and again in the region, which undermines the freedom of the Press," it said.

Condemning harassment of representatives of the Fourth Estate in line of duty, the release said that the club stands in solidarity with the Press fraternity in the neighbouring state under the aegis of the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) and the Editors' Guild Manipur (EGM).

In separate releases, Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS), Manipur, Uripok Apunba Lup and Salaai Kanba Lup strongly denounced the Indian army's directive to conceal 'Manipur' on the MST bus carrying journalists.

They said that such acts expose the two-faced character of the state government which is now under President's Rule.

It is unfortunate that only Meetei community faces restrictions when visiting certain areas within the state and is unable to travel freely with the name 'Manipur' in their own land.

Such act is not only a defeat for the state government but also for the people, expressed the civil bodies, demanding strict action against the central forces and all those responsible, to ensure that such incidents do not recur.

Challengers' Youth of Khundrakpam AC also decried attitude and conduct of the Mahar Regiment.

Speaking to media persons, Challengers' Youth president James Leishangthem demanded the Governor to provide a clear and transparent report on the incident to the people of Manipur.

Peace Committee Kangleipak Manipur cautioned of launching intense protests if department concerned fail to clarify about the incident clearly to the people.

Similarly, Kakching MLA Mayanglambam Rameshwar demanded central and state officials concerned to look into the matter and provide clarity on the corrective measures being taken to address it.

Denouncing the incident, National People's Party Manipur president Yumnam Joykumar demanded that the state government call for an explanation from all concerned to ensure proper governance in the state.

He condemned the fact that central security forces, instead of providing security to the people, ended up restricting them.

Comment