Imphal: The normal life was affected across five districts of Manipur a day after shutdown was announced in five districts of Manipur . The shutdown was announced by Meitei Coordinating Committee on Thursday in protest against the removal of Manipur’s name from a government bus
Notably, all educational institutions, public and private organisations, enterprises, corporations, etc remained closed throughout the day. Public transport were also affected. On Wednesday, several people gathered on the streets of Wangkhei, Khurai, Kongba in Imphal East district and Kwakeithel, Naoremthong in Imphal West district, to enforce statewide shutdown. The bandh was initiated last night. Locals were also asked to stay back at their homes in order to avoid any unprecented circumstances.
Protesters burn tyres on streets of Imphal
Angry over the removal of state’s name from the bus, protestors also burnt tyres on the streets of Naoremthong, Kwakeithel, Khurai and Wangkhei in state capital Imphal. The authorities have also tightened across Imphal to prevent any kind of unwanted situation. Central forces personnel have also been positioned at strategic places across all points leading to the Raj Bhavan.
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The state government on Wednesday demanded a thorough probe into the allegations that security personnel forced to remove the state’s name on a bus, which took journalists to the Shirui Lily festival.
Manipur removed from a state bus itself is anti-Manipur: Meitei Coordinating Committee convenor
According to news agency PTI, the security personnel stopped the bus, which was on its way to Shirui Lily festival with a group of journalists, who were going to cover the event. The security personnel allegedly forced Directorate of Information and Public Relations staffers to cover the state’s name written on the windshield with a white paper.
Amid the outrage, protesters demanded an apology from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, and resignations of Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, DGP Rajiv Singh and Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh. The Meitei Coordinating Committee convenor stated, “The decision to have Manipur removed from a state bus itself is anti-Manipur, absolutely challenges the idea of Manipur and its historical and cultural identity”.
The government had reported formed a two member enquiry committee to check the facts and circumstances over which the untoward incident took place. It would provide effective measures to ensure the avoidance of any such occurrences in the future. The committee is expected to submit a report for the same within a period of 15 days.
The Shirui Lily festival is celebrated in Manipur, after a gap of 2 long years, due to Kuki-Meitei conflict brewing in the state which led to the President rule after the resignation of CM N Biren Singh.
