Manipur group to meet MHA over bus signage row

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a Meitei civil society group, will meet Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials in New Delhi on May 27 to protest the removal of the word “Manipur” from a state transport bus by security personnel at the Gwaltabi checkpoint on May 20.

The bus, carrying media personnel and officials from the state’s public relations department for coverage of a local festival, was reportedly stopped and the state’s name scraped off the windscreen — an act that has triggered widespread anger across Manipur, particularly among the Meitei community.

COCOMI has accused the Centre and security forces of tacitly backing the Kuki community’s demand for a separate Union Territory. It is demanding a public apology from Governor AK Bhalla and seeking the resignation or immediate transfer of Chief Secretary PK Singh, DGP Rajiv Singh and security adviser Kuldiep Singh — accusing them of incompetence and anti-state decisions.

The group also condemned the use of force on Sunday, when security personnel used tear gas and mock bombs to disperse protesters marching towards Raj Bhavan in Imphal. At least seven women were reportedly injured.

The MHA meeting was confirmed hours after the clashes. COCOMI has also called for an end to excessive force against peaceful protesters and accountability for the personnel involved.

The Governor had earlier ordered a two-member probe panel on May 21 to investigate the May 20 incident, with a report expected within 15 days.