Widespread protests continue over Gwaltabi incident
Source: The Sangai Express

Moirang/Thoubal, May 25 2025: Widespread protests continues on Sunday at various locations of Bishnupur and Thoubal district condemning the Mahar Regiment action of halting a group of scribes heading to attend the Shirui Lily Festival, 2025 to forcibly conceal the word "Manipur" inscribed on a State Transport bus in Gwaltabi, At Bishnupur district, the Keinou Apunba Meira Paibi Lup staged a sit-in protest today at Imoinu Keithel, Keinou demanding resignation of the Governor, Chief Secretary, Security Advisor and DGP of Manipur on moral ground.

Speaking at the sideline of the protest, Apunba Meira Paibi Lup Keinou, member Ahongshangbam Luxmi said that the outsiders interference in State affairs to hinder free movement inside our own State is condemned at the strongest term.

If such unethical acts continue again in the future against the interest of the people, the people of Manipur will not remain a mute spectator, said Luxmi.

Similar protest was also held at Kiyam Babu Bazar, Thoubal organised by the Meitei Community Joint Coordinating Committee, Waithou to Haokha condemning the Gwaltabi incident.

At the protest, Meitei Community Joint Co-ordinating Committee, Women Wing general secretary, Pangamba Indrani said that the unfortunate incident that happened on May 20 at Gwaltabi must be held responsible by the Governor, Chief Secretary, DGP and Security Advisor.

Such an act of the security personnel to forcibly conceal the word "Manipur" from a State Transport bus inside our own State is under whose order, questioned Indrani.

This clearly shows the Central security personnel's partiality towards the Meitei community, said Indrani.

She also appealed to the authorities concerned to take proper action against those security personnel involved in the Gwaltabi incident.

The protesters also raised slogans calling for the Governor's resignation if failed to take action against those involved in the incident.

Meanwhile at Yairipok, hundreds of people including womenfolk, youth and children formed a human chain at Yairipok Keithel today protesting the Mahar Regiment action of forcibly concealing the word "Manipur" from a State Transport bus on May 20 at Gwaltabi.

The protest demonstration was jointly organised by All Yairipok United Clubs Organization, AMUCO, Poirei Leimarol, AMAWOVA, COHR and MSF.

During the protest, placards with inscriptions like "Self determination is our birth right", "AFSPA is colonial law", "Obliterate Colonial law", "Don't obliterate Manipur", "Stop India's divide and rule policy", etc were held by the protesters.

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