Manipur: Protesters clash with security forces over government bus issue at Raj Bhavan

Protesters and security forces in Manipur clashed on Sunday while trying to gherao Raj Bhavan in response to a call by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) to stage a mass agitation. The protesters gathered at Khwairamband and marched about 500 meters before they were resisted by security forces. The situation occurred over the demand for an apology from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. Bhalla was allegedly accused of insulting Manipur's identity by removing the state's name from a government bus.

Security forces dispersed the protesters near the Kangla Gate using tear gas. The situation escalated after several rounds of tear gas shells were fired, which caused in injuries to some protesters. Five protesters were admitted for treatment, according to a hospital official. One of the injured protesters expressed disappointment against the Governor, stating that his continued silence was a disregard for the sentiments of the people. The protesters accused the Governor and his administration of humiliating Manipur's historical and cultural legacy while overseeing the state's administration. "The governor continues to disregard the sentiments of the people by his silence. He and his administration have completely humiliated the state's historical and cultural legacy all the while administering the state. The inquiry commission set up by the government to probe the incident is not enough and does not mention anything about penalising those who were involved." a protester told reporters.

The protest follows outrage over a reported directive to remove "Manipur" from Manipur State Transport bus with journalists on board on May 20 en route to the Shirui Festival in Ukhrul district. COCOMI has announced statewide agitation and demanded the resignation of the Chief Secretary, DGP, and Security Advisor. The Manipur government on Wednesday ordered a probe into the allegations that security personnel forced to cover the state's name on a bus taking journalists to the Shirui Lily festival.

It was alleged that security forces had stopped the state-run bus, on which journalists were being taken by the government to cover the tourism festival in Ukhrul district on Tuesday, and forced the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) staffers to cover the state's name written on the windshield with a white paper.

The government formed a two-member inquiry committee and said that it will "examine facts and circumstances involving security personnel and Manipur State Road Transport Bus carrying media persons to cover the Manipur Shirui festival on May 20 near Gwaltabi checkpost", according to an order issued by the Home Department.

(With inputs from PTI)