Journalists from Imphal Valley returned to the middle route while going to Ukhrul district to attend the state-level Shirui Lily Festival, as security forces covered the word ‘Manipur’ on the windshield of a state-driven bus in which they were traveling in which they were traveling.
Journalists shared the scenes showing some people covering some people covering the state’s name on windshield with tape and paper. He protested against the Act, and questioned why the name of the state could not appear.
The bus hired by the Information and Public Relations Department (DIPR) had to pass through some villages, where the cookie tribes were on the rare flower of the state during the picturesque site of the Shirui Lily Festival.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla gave an address at the inauguration of the festival on Tuesday; It will end on 24 May.
Governor of Manipur, Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla inaugurated the 5th Shirui Lily Festival 2025 in Shirui village of Ukhul, which symbolizes the natural heritage of rare and delicate Shirui Lily – Manipur.
Earlier in the day, the governor trekped the beautiful Shirui Shikhar, 1/2 pic.twitter.com/zzmb1ctfs7
– Raj Bhavan Manipur (@rajbhavmanipur) May 20, 2025
The cookie tribes have objected to the members of the Myti community from the Imphal Valley. The Kukis have demanded a separate administration outside Manipur.
According to some festival volunteers, who are helping passengers going to UKHRUL, in some different parts of the highway, members of the Metei community were concerned about potential attacks by anti-social elements.
Manipur is under the rule of the President, and the state assembly is subject to suspended animation. Officials have assured that they will provide security to those who are visiting the Shirui Lily Festival.
In a joint letter to the governor, two media bodies in Manipur asked to investigate what went wrong.
“This incident has given rise to serious questions about the freedom, public safety, and the current security environment in the region, including the issue of controlling the state: State Government or Central Security Forces. Media personnel have called for clarity from the authorities about the argument behind the instructions, especially as a palace, as a palace, Khwirakapam Naoba said in the letter to the Governor.
Media associations said that all news firms will conduct a pen-down strike on Wednesday, and if fast action is not taken against those responsible for the lapse, it can increase it.
Former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and other leaders cut party lines including Govindas Konthauzam, Rajkumar Emo Singh, and State Congress chief Keisham Meghchandra Singh, who strongly condemned the act of forcing the word ‘Manipur’ to cover the word ‘Manipur’ in the deputy bus. He called the Act an illegal and a crime against the constitution.
“Manipur is not a question – this is a glorious position of the Indian Union. Our own state runs to remove ‘Manipur’ and ‘MN’ registration plates from the Manipur State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus.
“This Act is not discipline – it is a dangerous deviation, an attack on our identity, and a crime against the Constitution, which is committed within our own land. It is not only an insult to Manipur – it is an attack on the Indian Union. Manipur’s name named Manipur’s name is not an attack on the Indian Union. Beyond such shameful harassment and impure, an immediate high -existing. Konthoujam said Konthoujam said.
Such embarrassing harassment and the name of Manipur is beyond unacceptable.
Justice should be strong.
An immediate high-level inquiry committee should be formed to punish those responsible according to the law of land.– Govindas Konthaujam (@kontoujamg) May 20, 2025
Another BJP MLA, Rajkumar Emo Singh, said that the task of covering the name of the state was “completely unfair, unacceptable and violated the state’s right.”
“… I hope that the Governor will ensure that strict action is taken against the people involved,” said Mr. Emo.
I fail to understand the reason behind such an order to remove the name Manipur from the state transport bus, which takes the media to Ukharul. This was a completely unfair, unacceptable and violation of the state’s rights. Should be taken against strict action …
– Rajkumar Emo Singh (@IMOSINGH) May 20, 2025
Manipur Congress chief Kisham Meghchandra Singh questioned the state administration that the claim he had had “failed to ensure free movement in the state”.
Removing the name ‘Manipur’ from the Manipur State Transport Corporation bus, which made the deputed journalists sponsored by the Deputy Government of Manipur, and the obstruction by security forces is a commission of criminal acts. The law should be strong on them.
Gaurav of Manipur – “Shirui …
– Kanesham Mexishndra Singh (@Megachandra_K) May 20, 2025
The former Chief Minister called for action and accountability.
“Manipur And Manipur Thaba jaroi (You cannot write ‘Manipur’ in Manipur). Where are we? Whoever is behind this shameful act should be held accountable. I stand firmly with the media fraternity and the people of Manipur, “Mr. Singh said in a post on X.
“Manipur da Manipur Thaba Yoi.”
Where are we? Whoever is behind this shameful act should be held accountable. I stand firmly with the media fraternity and the people of Manipur.
– N. Twain Singh (@nbirensingh) May 20, 2025
The unqualified ceremony of the Shirui Lily Lily Festival was held at the Heritage Ground in Ukharul district. Shirui Lily – A rare, pink -safed flower – is endemic for Shirui Hill Range in Ukhul, the house of the Tangkul Naga tribe. It is also the flower of the state.
The Manipur police has said that the threats to pass the Miti community members not passed by the cookie-dominant villages were created by the eastern region of the volunteers of the fictional organizations-Kuki-Zo and the cookie-zoolland protection command.
The group ‘Cookie Zo Village Volunteer – Eastern Zone’ ‘Gram Volunteers Eastern Zone’, or VVEZ does not share the same name, which is present.
While Vvez has not made a statement on the Shirui Lily Festival, earlier on 8 March, the time limit set by the governor to surrender illegally organized and looted weapons, Vvez published a video statement – was not for a separate administration – to carry the AK series and other attack rifles from seven of his masked members and to carry out the AK series and other attacks.
Clashes between the Miti community and about two dozen tribes, known as Cookie, are prominent in some mountainous regions of Manipur, killed more than 260 people and have been displaced internal about 40,000.
