Manipur Civil Disobedience Intensifies Amidst Identity Row
Imphal,Manipur – The civil disobedience campaign in Manipur’s Imphal Valley escalated Tuesday,May 27,2025,as protesters targeted Central government offices. the demonstrations, primarily concentrated in Imphal, the state capital, involve activists locking down government buildings in response to what they perceive as an insult to the state’s identity.
Did You Know?
Manipur, meaning “Jeweled Land,” has a rich history dating back to ancient times. The state is known for its unique culture,including classical dance forms like Manipuri,and its significant contributions to Indian art and literature.
The unrest stems from an incident on May 20, 2025, when a Meitei organization alleged that Central armed forces masked the words ‘Manipur State Transport’ on a state-run bus. The organization viewed this action as a deliberate affront to Manipur’s identity, prompting calls for Governor ajay Kumar Bhalla to apologize.
Key demands and actions
- Apology Demand: protesters are demanding an apology from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla for the alleged insult to Manipur’s identity.
- Office Lockdowns: Demonstrators locked down several Central government offices, including the Geological Survey of India and the State’s Chief Electoral Officer.
- Political Message: banners at the protest sites read:
president’s Rule must stop insulting Manipur’s identity.
Manipur has been under President’s Rule sence February 13, following the resignation of BJP leader N.Biren Singh as Chief Minister. Singh’s departure was a result of the ethnic conflict that erupted on May 3, 2023, resulting in over 250 fatalities. The imposition of President’s Rule places Governor bhalla at the helm of the state’s management.
The Bus Incident: A Flashpoint
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a Meitei organization, initiated the civil disobedience movement after a 48-hour ultimatum for the Governor to apologize expired. The incident involved a bus carrying media and state details officials en route from Imphal to the Shirui Lily festival in the Naga-dominated Ukhrul district.
According to reports,at a checkpoint approximately 25 km from Imphal,Central armed forces instructed the bus passengers to cover the words ‘Manipur State Transport’ displayed on the vehicle. The lack of clarification for this action has fueled outrage among Meitei organizations, who assert that it undermined Manipur’s identity, name, pride, and respect.
Pro Tip: Understanding Ethnic Dynamics
The conflict in Manipur is rooted in complex ethnic dynamics between the Meitei, who primarily reside in the Imphal valley, and various tribal groups living in the surrounding hills. Understanding these past and social factors is crucial to comprehending the ongoing unrest.
Beyond seeking an apology, COCOMI-led protesters are calling for the resignation of key officials, including Chief Secretary P.K. Singh, Security Adviser Kuldiep Singh, and Director-General of Police Rajiv Singh, holding them accountable for the controversial incident.
Political Fallout
The opposition Congress party has strongly condemned the government’s handling of the situation. Former Chief minister and Congress leader Okram Ibobi Singh stated:
If we cannot use the word ‘Manipur’ within manipur, where is our integrity? Who issued orders for the concealment of the signage? They should come out and apologise to the people of Manipur.
Okram Ibobi Singh, Former Chief Minister of Manipur
Singh also criticized the governor’s inability to travel by road from Imphal’s airport to the Raj Bhavan due to the protests, highlighting what he described as the total failure of the center because Manipur is now under the President’s Rule.
The Governor was airlifted to Kangla Fort and then traveled a short distance to the Raj Bhavan under heavy security.
On Monday, hundreds of protesters formed a human chain along the airport road in anticipation of the Governor’s arrival from New Delhi, where he had attended an investment summit. The decision to airlift him underscores the intensity of the protests and the challenges facing the administration in maintaining order.
