Bus row: 2 central govt offices locked in Manipur

Imphal: Two central govt offices were locked in Imphal on Tuesday as activists of COCOMI, an umbrella body of Meitei groups, protested the concealing of the state's name from a govt bus in Gwaltabi last week.

Outnumbering the security personnel, COCOMI activists stormed into the chief electoral officer's office at Lamphelpat and asked the staff to leave the building, before locking up the main gate. The activists also locked up the office of the Geological Survey of India, located a few kilometre away, raising slogans, such as ‘apologise or leave Manipur', against the governor.

Following a resolution adopted on Monday evening, COCOMI initiated the closure of central govt offices from Tuesday, while maintaining essential services like healthcare, education, sports and banking to prevent disruption of crucial services.

The demonstration, which began on Sunday, gained substantial support as women, students and activists gathered in large numbers to protest the removal of Manipur's name from a govt bus that transported journalists to the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district on May 20 at Gwaltabi.

On Tuesday, organisations such as All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO), Manipur Students' Federation (MSF), Committee on Human Rights (CoHR), and Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi organised a human chain stretching from Singjamei to Lilong on Moreh road, demanding an official apology from the governor regarding the bus incident.

Similar protests were also held in Nambol and Bishnupur town in Bishnupur district.

Various civil society organisations and student groups have declared their backing for the movement, viewing it as crucial for safeguarding Manipur's integrity and identity.

The COCOMI-directed protests are set to persist with additional organised activities unless the governor issues an apology. Local authorities continue to observe the developing situation as tensions remain elevated. (With inputs from PTI)