Protests intensify over Gwaltabi incident; Civil groups demand Governor’s apology and government accountability

Tensions continue to mount in Manipur as various civil society organisations, including AMUCO, COCOMI, COHR, Poirei Leimarol, and MSF, intensify protests demanding an official apology from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and action against senior officials allegedly involved in ordering the removal of the “Manipur State Transport” signage from a government-owned bus.
The controversy stems from a May 20 incident at Gwaltabi, where security personnel reportedly instructed the removal of the state identity from a bus transporting journalists to the Shirui Lily Festival. The act has been widely condemned as an affront to Manipur’s identity, sparking widespread outrage across the valley districts.
On Monday, a large group of women protestors from the Khurai area stormed the Imphal East Deputy Commissioner’s office, demanding an apology from the Governor and the resignation of the state’s Chief Secretary and Security Advisor. The protestors denounced what they described as the “disrespectful and insensitive” handling of the incident, holding top officials accountable for the worsening situation.
Elsewhere, human chain protests were organised from Singjamei to Lilong by organisations under AMUCO’s banner, alongside student and women’s groups. Demonstrators voiced strong opposition to what they called attempts to disintegrate Manipur’s identity.
In Thoubal district, a mass rally culminated in the submission of a memorandum to the District Commissioner, reiterating the call for an apology and demanding protection of Manipur’s integrity. Protestors expressed deep concern over the silence of constitutional authorities and called for immediate corrective measures.
Volunteers of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) on Tuesday locked the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) at Lamphel, enforcing the committee’s resolution to shut down Central Government offices. COCOMI had earlier announced the closure of all Central Government offices in the state starting today, with exceptions granted to education, health, sports, and other essential services.
In a parallel development, Imagi Meira, under the initiative of the People’s Progressive Alliance Manipur (PPAM), submitted a formal letter to the Secretary of the Manipur Legislative Assembly demanding full disclosure of all benefits and entitlements provided to both sitting and former MLAs. The letter calls for transparency in salaries, allowances, pensions, travel and medical reimbursements, and other state-supported perks.
“This is not just a question of public money, but also of public trust. The people of Manipur have a right to know how their elected representatives are supported by the state,” said Sujata Thokchom, Convenor of Imagi Meira.
The continuing wave of protests and civic actions highlights growing disillusionment among the public over both state and central government responses to recent events. Civil society groups maintain that without accountability and transparency, the people’s trust in democratic institutions will continue to erode.