Protests over Gwaltabi incident continue
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 23 2025: In response to the forced removal of the word 'Manipur' on a Manipur State Transport (MST) bus at Gwaltabi on May 20 by central forces, various organisations and meira paibi groups staged protest demonstrations across the state.

Salungpham Apunba Meira Paibi Association organised a mass sit-in protest on Friday at Salungpham Mayai Leikai community hall to denounce insistence by the Mahar Regiment personnel to conceal the word 'Manipur' displayed on the bus.

Heirok Apunba Meira Paibi also condemned the incident, stating that such actions threaten the integrity of Manipur and are clearly aimed at destabilising the state.

Protests over Gwaltabi incident continue

Condemning the act in the strongest terms, Heirok Apunba Meira Paibi, in collaboration with Heirok Apunba Club, staged a sit-in protest at Umang Laikol.

Speaking to reporters during the protest, Meira Paibi advisor Khundongbam Gunamani Leima called the Gwaltabi incident clear demonstration of the government of India's open support for the Kuki community amid the two-year long crisis in the state.

She asserted that there was no justification for the removal of "Manipur" from a state transport bus and demanded the resignation of the Manipur Governor, security advisor and the chief secretary, on moral ground for failure to take action against those responsible for the incident.

Meanwhile, Apunba Manipur Ima, in a statement, strongly condemned the incident, asserting that in response to the security forces insisting on covering up 'Manipur' from the MST bus, they are prepared to launch agitation to remove 'India' from signboards across the state.

The statement further demanded that the MLAs clarify their positions on the incident by May 30, cautioning that failure to do so would result launch of various forms of agitation against them.

It also criticised the committee formed to investigate the Gwaltabi incident, calling it a mere eyewash.

It insisted that if the truth is to be uncovered, a judicial enquiry should be initiated under the supervision of a sitting or retired High Court judge.

The Citizen's Association for Rural Development (CARD), Wabagai, also organised a sit-in protest at Wabagai Keithel Macha on Friday under the banner of AMUCO .

The protestors displayed placards inscribed with the slogans "Condemn India's policy to obliterate Manipur", "Manipur should not trust India's rule", "We are the rightful owners of Manipur", and "Manipur cannot be destroyed" .

The Chingmi Tammi Peace Committee also strongly condemned the incident.

In a joint statement, the committees of Langmeidong, Laimanai, Tejpur, Thounaojam, Elangkhangpokpi, Yangdong, Tampak-khun, Litan, Lainingkhul and Purum declared that the Gwaltabi incident must be taken seriously.

They demanded a thorough investigation, expressing suspicion that the DGP, the security advisor and the Governor may be involved.

The statement urged the Governor to provide a prompt clarification to dispel all doubts surrounding the controversy .