The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has announced the launch of a statewide mass agitation starting May 25, following Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla’s failure to apologize within the 48-hour deadline over the restriction on the use of the name “Manipur” on MST buses heading to Ukhrul for the Shirui Festival on May 20.
Speaking to media at the COCOMI office in Lamphel, COCOMI Convenor Khuraijam Athouba said the denial of an apology by the Governor and the continued silence of the President’s Rule administration — particularly the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP), and Security Advisor — reflects a complete disconnect from ground realities and blatant disregard for the sentiments of the people.
In response, COCOMI declared that Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla will be boycotted by the people of Manipur from all public, social, and cultural platforms, and no individual or organization shall engage with him until a public apology is issued. Athouba said that mass protests, rallies, torch processions, sit-ins, and community-led campaigns would be held across districts, including marches towards Raj Bhavan and district headquarters, demanding the Governor’s apology and the immediate resignation of the top three state administrators.
The movement also includes a civil disobedience campaign against Central Government institutions, barring those in education, health, sports, banking, postal, and essential services. Athouba called for people to cease cooperation with other PR-run offices as a form of protest against what he described as the alienation and erasure of Manipur’s identity.
COCOMI further rejected the Administrative Inquiry Committee constituted under the Chief Secretary’s direction, calling it an eyewash meant to protect those involved. Athouba demanded the formation of an independent inquiry committee headed by a retired sessions or High Court judge and questioned the silence surrounding the Gwaltabi incident, where soldiers of the Maha Regiment allegedly removed the word “Manipur” from state buses carrying journalists.
Athouba made it clear that the agitation would remain democratic and non-violent, emphasizing that the protest is not against peace, but against the surrender of governance to narco-terror threats and the institutional attempt to erase the identity of Manipur. “Manipur is not a negotiable term. It is our name, our soul, our heritage. We will defend it, united and unwavering, until justice prevails,” he said.
