Manipur Governor Protest: After attending the Rising Northeast Investors Summit in New Delhi, he landed at the airport, where a human chain of demonstrators had formed on the road.
On Monday, protesters demanding an apology from Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla forced him to take a helicopter from Imphal’s Tulihal Airport to the Raj Bhavan, a distance of around 7 miles.
Hundreds of demonstrators carrying signs that said, “Manipur’s identity is non-negotiable,” had created a human chain that stretched from the airport’s departure gate to the Keishampat Junction close to the Raj Bhavan.
The airport route is straight as an arrow and curves slightly off the main Raj Bhavan entrance across from the ancient Kangla Fort in the heart of Imphal.
To evade the protesters, the Governor boarded an Army helicopter after arriving at the airport during the day from New Delhi, where he was attending the Rising Northeast Investors Summit. The helicopter landed at the Kangla Fort complex’s helipad.
Under increased protection, the Governor was driven around 300 meters from the helicopter to the Raj Bhavan.
Since the imposition of President’s Rule on February 13, only days after Nongthombam Biren Singh resigned as Chief Minister, the Governor has been in charge of Manipur. In order to highlight the circumstances in the war-torn state, Congress made reference to his short-distance helicopter journey.
In Manipur, the President’s Rule seems to have had no impact at all. According to senior Congress politician Jairam Ramesh, the governor had to take a helicopter from the Imphal airport to Kangla Fort today in order to get to his home.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister continues to overlook Manipur while holding filmi discussions around the nation and politicizing Operation Sindoor. He said, “The Union Home Minister has failed terribly and ought to step down for his complete inability to restore any semblance of normalcy to Manipur, which he has been overseeing.”
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a Meitei organization, declared on Sunday that the attempt to “undermine the identity of Manipur, its name, pride” will be met by large-scale demonstrations, rallies, torch processions, and sit-ins.
Manipur Governor Protest Sparks Controversy Over Identity and Governance
This was about security guards reportedly forcing state officials and members of a media crew to wear masks that said “Manipur State Transport” when they were being transported to the Naga-dominated Ukhrul to cover the Shirui Lily Festival on May 20.
The COCOMI insisted that the Governor apologize over the bus incident, even though the administration initiated an inquiry into the issue. As a result of the event that “undermined the identity of Manipur, its name, pride, and respect,” the organization also called for the resignation of Chief Secretary P.K. Singh, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, and Director-General of Police Rajiv Singh.
To find a solution to the Manipur problem, a COCOMI delegation is scheduled to meet with Ministry of Home Affairs officials in New Delhi on Tuesday.
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