Protesters petition DC, stick to demand, burn effigies
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 28 2025: Persisting with the protests launched by Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) against the May 20 Gwaltabi incident, various Meira Paibi groups from Imphal East district submitted a four-point memorandum to the deputy commissioner of Imphal East district on Wednesday.

Meira Paibi members of Nongmeibung, Wangkhei Angom Leikai, Soibam Leikai Wangkhei Khunou, New Checkon, Khurai Konsam Leikai and Kongpal trooping out from different localities attempted to march to the DC's office but were intercepted by RAF and Manipur police personnel at Porompat traffic island.

Protesters petition DC, stick to demand, burn effigies

Meira Paibi activists heading in from Kongpal but intercepted in front of Porompat Water Supply, held placards and shouted slogans calling for the Governor to apologise and for the resignations of the chief secretary, security advisor and the director general of police.

Later, some select representatives from the Meira Paibi groups were allowed to meet the DC.

Speaking to newspersons after meeting the DC, Wangkhei Angom Leikai Women's Social Welfare Association president Nandibala Okram expressed strong resentment that despite the people's call for the Governor to clarify the Gwaltabi incident, no response has been given till date.

Such inaction prompted the Meira Paibi members to submit the memorandum to the DC to ensure the people's voices reach the Governor, she said.

On the other hand, under the aegis of COCOMI Students' Front, human chains were formed in various places on Wednesday in symbolic protest against the Gwaltabi incident.

Effigies of the Governor, CS, security advisor and DGP were also set on fire by the demonstrators, iterating the demands for an apology from the Governor and resignations of the CS, security advisor and DGP on moral grounds.

Protesters petition DC, stick to demand, burn effigies

At Kongba, students of Standard College under the aegis of COCOMI Students' Front protested outside the College, raising slogans like "Manipur cannot be destroyed", "Long Live Manipur", and "Governor must apologise" .

The students also burnt the effigies of the Governor, CS, security advisor and DGP amid stand-off with the police.

Speaking on the sidelines, Standard College Students' Union general secretary Asem Vivekraj alleged that the 4th Mahar Regiment were instructed to act the way they did on May 20 and demanded an apology from the Governor and resignations of the three security officials.

He also condemned the lockdown of the student body's office by security forces, terming it as an uncivilised act.

In a similar protest, students of Mayai Lambi College also formed human chains along Mayai Lambi and held placards inscribed with the slogans, "We stand against alien administration in Manipur", "Government of India should stop trying to destroy Manipur", and "Security advisor, DGP and CS must resign" .

The students attempted to set fire to the effigy of the Governor but were stopped by police, resulting in a brief standoff.

Later, Wangoi Meira Paibi joined the students of Mayai Lambi College in forming human chains at Wangoi Keithel.

The protestors shouted slogans like "Manipur cannot be destroyed", "Long Live Manipur" and "Governor must apologise", before setting fire to an effigy of the Governor in protest.

On Tuesday evening, Lamlai Kendra Village Voluntary Force (LKWF) organised a human chain protest from Sawombung till Yaingangpokpi Keithel.

During the protest, the demonstrators held placards and shouted slogans like "Stop all threats to Manipur", "PR must stop insulting Manipur", and "We condemn Government of India for trying to disintegrate Manipur" .

Meanwhile, villagers of Keibi Khullen pledged their support to all forms of protest against the Gwaltabi incident, during the monthly gathering organised by Lainingthou Puthiba Thougal Kanglup, Keibi Khullen Development Committee, Meira Paibi members and local clubs, at the premises of Lainingthou Puthiba Laibung on Wednesday.

The gathering condemned the Gwaltabi incident and also discussed other issues concerning the state.

Later, the attendees shouted slogans like "Manipur cannot be destroyed", and "Governor, CS, security advisor and DGP must resign for insulting Manipur" .