48-hour total shutdown paralyzes Manipur valley districts over windshield label row

A 48-hour total shutdown called by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has brought life to a standstill across the valley districts of Manipur. The shutdown, which began yesterday midnight, was launched in protest against the reported erasure of the word “Manipur” from the front windshield of a Manipur State Transport (MST) bus in the Gwaltabi area of Yengangpokpi.
The incident sparked widespread outrage, with COCOMI calling it an affront to the identity and integrity of the state. The shutdown received overwhelming public support, especially across the valley districts including Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, and Kakching. Roads remained deserted as large groups of womenfolk took to the streets, blocking key intersections and halting vehicular movement. Only emergency and security force vehicles were allowed to pass, and even those were stopped unless they displayed “Manipur, Kangleipak” clearly on their front windshields.
Markets and commercial hubs such as Paona Bazar, Thangal Bazar, and the three Ima Keithel in Imphal were completely shut. The same is in all the district Head Quarters of Manipur Valley. Government offices recorded low attendance, and banks remained closed throughout the day. Schools and colleges also remained shut. The entire valley wore a deserted look as the shutdown took hold.
COCOMI stated that the removal of the state name from an official vehicle was not just an administrative act but a symbolic assault on Manipur’s territorial and cultural identity. They demanded that the state government issued a strong response and take concrete action to ensure that such acts are not repeated. The committee warned of more intense forms of protest if the issue is not addressed seriously.
While the protest disrupted most areas of the valley, no disturbance was reported for vehicles heading towards Ukhrul for the Shirui Lily Festival. Protesters said they respected the cultural importance of the festival and did not wish to interfere with its observance. This exception was made despite the firm enforcement of the shutdown in other areas.
The protest remained largely peaceful, with demonstrators staging sit-ins and community meals at various locations. The active participation of women, who played a leading role in monitoring routes and enforcing the shutdown, reflected the deep emotional resonance of the issue across all sections of society.
As of now, the state government has not issued a formal statement regarding the incident or COCOMI’s demands. Security has been tightened in vulnerable areas, and additional forces have been deployed along critical routes and highways. With one day remaining in the 48-hour shutdown, uncertainty prevails over how the situation will unfold.