Meitei protesters lock central government offices in Manipur’s Imphal amid growing tensions
Imphal: Protests by the student wing of Meitei civil society group, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity, have escalated in Imphal with demonstrators locking the offices of the Chief Electoral Officer and the Geological Survey of India.
The move is part of a larger statewide protest demanding an apology from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, as reported by The Telegraph on Wednesday.
Protesters also held placards that said “Apology to Manipur or Leave Manipur” and “President’s Rule must stop insulting Manipur’s identity”.
The unrest is rooted in a May 20 incident where security personnel allegedly ordered the removal of the words “Manipur State Transport” from a state-run bus that was transporting around twenty journalists to the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul.
The situation has further intensified due to reports that Governor Bhalla was airlifted by an army helicopter from Imphal Airport to Kangla Fort—just 300 meters from the Raj Bhavan—on Monday. This move was allegedly made to avoid protesters blocking the roads, which has fueled public outrage, The Telegraph added.
Violence has plagued Manipur since May 2023, with ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities. Over 260 lives have been lost, and thousands have been displaced.
Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February this year, following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Man shot dead in Jharkhand’s Jamtara, probe underway
Jamtara (Jharkhand) (PTI): A man was shot dead by three unidentified bike-borne armed miscreants in Jharkhand’s Jamtara district on Sunday, police said.
The incident took place at Dharampur village within Narainpur police station limits when the victim, identified as Furkan Ansari, a resident of the same village, had gone out for his morning tea at a stall around 8.15 am, they said.
Narainpur OC Murad Hasan said, "The victim's body was handed over to his family members after post-mortem examination at Sadar Hospital."
Police have launched an investigation into the matter, the OC said.
