Identity row: More condemn Gwaltabi incident
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 24 2025: Apunba Manipur Gi Ema, the Coordinating Committee of Clubs & Organisation (COCOCO) and the Committee on Protection of Meetei Victims (COPMeV), Moreh have strongly condemned the recent Gwaltabi incident.

On May 20, personnel of 4th Mahar Regiment at Gwaltabi checkpost instructed journalists en route to cover the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul to conceal "Manipur" from the Manipur State Transport bus ferrying the scribes.

Addressing the silence of State legislators over the incident, Apunba Manipur Gi Ema has demanded the MLAs to declare their stance on the matter by May 30 .

It added that a judicial inquiry should be launched to investigate the incident led by a High Court Judge or retd Judge.

Apunba Manipur Gi Ema has called for replacement of the Governor, Chief Secretary, Security Advisor and DGP of the State with more competent individuals.

In a separate press release, COCOCO denounced the Gwaltabi incident and demanded strict action against the Central security forces involved in the unfortunate incident.

Meanwhile, (COPMeV), Moreh has demanded a prompt clarification from the Governor, Chief Secretary and DGP of Manipur.

The Gwaltabi incident has made it clear that the Central Government and Central forces are intent on sowing discord among different communities in the State, said COPMeV .

In light of the recent incident, COPMeV recalled that the Kuki community has consistently fabricated history and renamed many places, wetlands, rivers etc in hill areas inhabited by the Meeteis.

Elaborating this point, COPMeV said that Moreh town was a multi-ethnic society inhabited by Meeteis, Nagas, Meetei-Pangals, Nepalis, Tamils, Biharis etc.

After the 1992-93 Naga-Kuki conflict, Kukis started settling in Moreh town, started giving Kuki names to Naga villages and Meetei "Leikais" as well as the rivers and hills, alleged COPMeV.

According to the press release, many documents such as PM health card, birth certificate, ration certificate, which are obtained online, now feature the new names given by the Kukis.

For example, COPMeV said that Heinoumakhong Leikai has been renamed as Chikim Veng, Moreh Turel Wangma Leikai as D Monaphai Veng, Moreh Bazar as Phaicham Veng, Moreh Khudou Leikai as T Yangnom Veng, Moreh Premnagar Mongyamba Leikai as Phaicham Veng and Lokchao River as Tuipi etc.

In this regard, COPMeV had urged the concerned authority to address the issue and burned ration cards featuring these names in protest.

However, no measures have been undertaken to rectify the problem, it added.

Stressing on the seriousness of the issue, COPMeV has demanded a clarification from the officials in charge of the State administration.

Comment