Angered by the removal of the word “Manipur” from a state transport bus by MAHAR Regiment personnel at Gwaltabi on May 20, the Waithou Apunba Meira Paibi Lup staged a sit-in protest today, demanding accountability and calling for the Governor’s resignation if immediate action is not taken.
The protest, held at Waithou in Thoubal district, saw dozens of Meira Paibi elders joining in, chanting slogans demanding justice and dignity for the state. The women condemned the act as a direct insult to Manipur’s identity and denounced what they described as India’s ongoing strategy to suppress regional voices.
Speaking during the vigil, Samadram Chaobi, advisor of the Waithou Meira Paibi Lup, asserted that the Gwaltabi incident was not a minor lapse but a deliberate provocation. “The word ‘Manipur’ is not just a name, it’s our history, our people. If the Governor, Chief Secretary, DGP, and Security Advisor fail to act, they are complicit,” she declared.
The protest concluded with strong slogans calling for the Governor to step down if no concrete response is given, warning that silence from the state leadership would only lead to intensified democratic resistance.
