'Manipur' Covered on MST Bus: COCOMI Declares Boycott of Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has announced a boycott of Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, following a recent incident involving the concealment of the word "Manipur" on a state transport bus carrying journalists to the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district.
On May 20, a Manipur State Transport (MST) bus transporting 22 journalists was stopped at the Gwaltabi checkpoint by personnel from the MAHAR Regiment and the Border Security Force (BSF). The security forces allegedly instructed the journalists to cover the "Manipur State Transport" signage on the bus before proceeding. In protest, the journalists chose to return to Imphal, abandoning their coverage of the festival .
COCOMI condemned the incident as an affront to Manipur's identity and sovereignty. The organization demanded an apology from Governor Bhalla and called for the resignation of key state officials, including the Security Advisor, Chief Secretary, and Director General of Police .
In response to the incident, COCOMI initiated a 48-hour statewide bandh starting May 21, which disrupted normal life across the Imphal Valley. Businesses, educational institutions, and public transport services were shut down in protest .
The Manipur government has launched an inquiry into the incident, forming a two-member committee comprising Home Commissioner N Ashok Kumar and IT Secretary Th Kirankumar Singh. The committee has been tasked with submitting its findings within 15 days .
Journalist associations, including the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union and the Editors Guild Manipur, have expressed their discontent by initiating a "Pen Down Strike" and boycotting coverage of state government news until the inquiry concludes .
The Shirui Lily Festival, a significant cultural event in Manipur, proceeded as scheduled despite the controversy. Governor Bhalla inaugurated the festival, emphasizing its role in promoting tourism and cultural unity.
This incident has sparked widespread debate over the balance of authority between state governance and central security forces, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region.
On May 20, a Manipur State Transport (MST) bus transporting 22 journalists was stopped at the Gwaltabi checkpoint by personnel from the MAHAR Regiment and the Border Security Force (BSF). The security forces allegedly instructed the journalists to cover the "Manipur State Transport" signage on the bus before proceeding. In protest, the journalists chose to return to Imphal, abandoning their coverage of the festival .
COCOMI condemned the incident as an affront to Manipur's identity and sovereignty. The organization demanded an apology from Governor Bhalla and called for the resignation of key state officials, including the Security Advisor, Chief Secretary, and Director General of Police .
In response to the incident, COCOMI initiated a 48-hour statewide bandh starting May 21, which disrupted normal life across the Imphal Valley. Businesses, educational institutions, and public transport services were shut down in protest .
The Manipur government has launched an inquiry into the incident, forming a two-member committee comprising Home Commissioner N Ashok Kumar and IT Secretary Th Kirankumar Singh. The committee has been tasked with submitting its findings within 15 days .
Journalist associations, including the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union and the Editors Guild Manipur, have expressed their discontent by initiating a "Pen Down Strike" and boycotting coverage of state government news until the inquiry concludes .
The Shirui Lily Festival, a significant cultural event in Manipur, proceeded as scheduled despite the controversy. Governor Bhalla inaugurated the festival, emphasizing its role in promoting tourism and cultural unity.
This incident has sparked widespread debate over the balance of authority between state governance and central security forces, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region.
