Imphal: A wave of palpable anger swept across Manipur on Monday as the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) intensified its statewide agitation, drawing hundreds onto Tiddim Road. The protestors, a determined mix of students and activists, took positions along the airport route, poised to confront the Governor upon his return from Delhi. Their singular demand: an unconditional apology for alleged directives perceived as a grave threat to the state’s territorial identity.
The air near Kwakeithel was thick with defiance from 11:30 AM, as demonstrators unfurled placards emblazoned with stark messages like “Governor should apologise” and “Don’t disintegrate the territorial integrity of Manipur.” The crowd swelled in anticipation of the Governor’s unconfirmed 1:30 PM arrival at Imphal International Airport, their roadside vigil unwavering despite the uncertainty.
At the heart of this escalating tension lies an allegation that the Governor had mandated the removal of “Manipur” from bus displays heading to Ukhrul during the Shirui Festival on May 20. This perceived slight, deemed an egregious insult to the state’s very identity by COCOMI, ignited the mass movement on May 25 after the Governor reportedly refused to issue an apology.
Educational institutions have joined the fray, with students from numerous schools and colleges forming poignant human chains, condemning the alleged incident. Meanwhile, security forces, a formidable presence of both state and central agencies, have been heavily deployed along the critical artery connecting the airport to Raj Bhawan. This burgeoning protest underscores a growing chasm between civil society groups and state authorities, fuelled by mounting concerns over perceived encroachments on Manipur’s constitutional standing.
COCOMI’s robust statewide campaign has successfully galvanised academic circles and activist organisations, broadening the scope of the agitation beyond the festival transport directive. The underlying apprehension now extends to larger questions of state autonomy and territorial recognition. The organisation has articulated its belief that the Governor’s alleged actions are not isolated incidents but rather part of a pattern aimed at undermining Manipur’s distinct political and cultural identity.
Local authorities have maintained a tight rein on crowd control throughout the day, yet the protestors remain resolute. They have vowed to press on with their agitation, asserting that their vigil will continue until the demanded apology is duly issued from the Governor’s office, bringing the ongoing standoff to a head.
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