Thousands march to gherao Raj Bhavan amid tight security over Gwaltabi incident

Thousands of people marched towards Raj Bhavan today to gherao the Governor’s residence, demanding a public apology over the Gwaltabi incident of May 20. The demonstration, organised by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), witnessed a massive turnout despite heavy security deployment across all key entry points to Raj Bhavan.
Security measures were significantly intensified in anticipation of the protest, with multiple layers of barricades set up at Keishampat Bridge, Moirangkhom, Sanjenthong, and BT Road. Personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Manipur Police were stationed in large numbers to prevent any untoward incident.
The protest stems from an incident on May 20 when security forces detained a Manipur State Transport (MST) bus carrying journalists en route to cover the inaugural function of the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul. The journalists were allegedly asked to remove the MST signage from the front windshield of their vehicle. The act drew strong condemnation from the media fraternity and was followed by widespread outrage from various civil society organisations (CSOs). COCOMI held the Governor, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP), and the Security Advisor responsible for the incident.
By around 11 a.m., large groups of men and women began assembling at Khwairamband Keithel, holding placards and raising slogans demanding an apology from the Governor. When protestors attempted to march towards Raj Bhavan, police forces intercepted them near Khwairamband Keithel. Tensions escalated as demonstrators broke through the barricades and moved towards the Kangla area, overcoming another security layer near Congress Bhavan on BT Road.
A large contingent of security personnel halted the advancing protestors near Raj Bhavan, leading to a confrontation. As the situation turned volatile, police fired two rounds of tear gas to disperse the crowd. Three women sustained injuries in the ensuing chaos and were rushed to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) for treatment. The injured have been identified as Takhelchangbam Gyaneshwori, 58 years from Khongman Mangjil,  Nongthombam Priya, 42 years from Wangkhei Angom Leikai, Nandeibam Shanti, 72 years from Khurai Heikrumakhong, Thokchom Gita, 44 years from Singjamei Thokchom Leikai, Abe Devi, 52 years from Khongman, Kh. Rajeshwori, 64 years from Lalambung, and K. Sabitri Devi, 60 years from Tabungkhok. Despite the use of tear gas, the protest continued, with chants of “Long Live Manipur” echoing through BT Road.
COCOMI Convenor Khuraijam Athouba, along with other office bearers, joined the protest. Speaking to the media, Athouba declared that the people of Manipur would not back down until the Governor issued a formal apology over the Gwaltabi incident. He also rejected the government’s administrative inquiry, demanding instead an independent probe led by a retired Sessions or High Court judge. Additionally, COCOMI reiterated its demand for the immediate replacement of the Chief Secretary, the DGP, and the Security Advisor.