 "Manipur governor airlifted to Raj Bhavan to avoid massive Meitei protests on road")
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla was airlifted in an Army helicopter on Monday to avoid major protests on his way from Imphal airport to Raj Bhawan, just six kilometres away.
The protests were led by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), with hundreds of people forming a human chain on Tiddim Road to oppose the removal of the state’s name from a government bus.
The protest stretched about 5.5 km from Imphal airport to Keishampat Junction, with many students taking part.
It was part of a larger state-wide agitation led by COCOMI, which is demanding a public apology from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and the immediate removal or transfer of Chief Secretary PK Singh, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, and DGP Rajiv Singh.
The anger was sparked by a May 20 incident when a Manipur State Transport bus carrying journalists to the Shirui Lily Festival was stopped by central forces, who allegedly ordered the word ‘Manipur’ to be removed from the bus. The move was seen as an insult to the state’s identity.
Governor Bhalla, who had flown to New Delhi on May 21 with Chief Secretary PK Singh, returned to Imphal today. The reason for his visit to the capital has not been made public.
As news of his return spread, fresh protests broke out along the route. Demonstrators held banners saying, “Governor must tender apology to the people of Manipur – COCOMI” and “Apologise to Manipur or leave Manipur.”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsHeavy security was deployed along the protest route, but to avoid any clashes, the Governor and the Chief Secretary were flown by helicopter and landed inside the secure Kangla Fort. From there, Bhalla continued to Raj Bhavan.
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