The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has criticized the Central Government, calling the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur a “complete failure” of governance. The remark comes amid growing public frustration following the recent Gwaltabi incident.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the 61st death anniversary observance of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru at Congress Bhavan, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Okram Ibobi Singh lashed out at the Centre’s handling of the situation in Manipur. He questioned the decision to fly in Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla from Imphal International Airport to Raj Bhavan—a distance of just around 5 to 6 kilometres.
“This is not a hilly or difficult terrain. If the Governor cannot travel five or six kilometres by road from the airport to Raj Bhavan, it shows the complete failure of the Government of India’s rule in Manipur,” Ibobi said adding that Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah should be ashamed of this.
On May 27, Governor Bhalla was airlifted from Imphal Airport to Kangla and then to Raj Bhavan, reportedly due to the presence of large numbers of demonstrators along the route. The protest was organised by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), with demonstrators gathering as early as 11 am to register a peaceful protest ahead of the Governor’s scheduled arrival around 1:30 pm.
Despite heavy deployment of both state and central security forces, the Governor was not seen by the protestors, as he was flown out by helicopter at approximately 3 pm. As the helicopter took off, a section of protestors attempted to move towards the western gate of Kangla, where the helicopter was expected to land, but were prevented from reaching the area.
The demonstration was triggered by a May 20 incident at Gwaltabi, where personnel from the 4 Mahar Regiment allegedly ordered the removal of a “Manipur State” signage from a state transport bus carrying journalists to the Shirui Lily Festival.
“Either the Governor, the DGP, or the Chief Secretary must come out and publicly apologise for ordering the removal of ‘Manipur State Transport’ signage from a government bus at Gwaltabi,” Ibobi demanded.
Commenting on the failure of the BJP to form a popular government in the state, Ibobi said, “That is their internal issue. They have the numbers, they have the government at the Centre—if they stake a claim, the Governor cannot refuse.”
He also clarified that the Congress party has never engaged in any discussion with the BJP regarding the formation of a new government in the state.