Meitei apex body Cocomi to launch civil disobedience agitation, boycott Manipur Governor

“This is not a protest against peace but against surrendering governance to narco-terror threats and erasing our identity under President’s Rule,” the Cocomi statement said.  

The Meitei body in Manipur has called for a 48-hour strike, which disrupted life across the Imphal Valley.  

Cocomi stands for the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity is a coalition of Meitei-based organisations. 

The group has declared a statewide agitation beginning Sunday, including rallies, sit-ins, torch processions and a civil disobedience campaign targeting the President’s Rule.

President's Rule was imposed in the state on February 13 after Chief Minister N Biren Singh had resigned.  

Addressing the media, Cocomi spokesperson Khuraijam Athouba said: “The governor of Manipur Ajay Bhalla is henceforth boycotted by all public, civil and cultural platforms. No individual or organisation shall invite or involve him in any function until a public apology is made.”  

The agitation reignites long-standing fears among the Meitei community about Manipur's territorial integrity, especially amid the Kuki-Zo community’s call for a separate Union Territory since the ethnic conflict began on May 3, 2023.

Despite Bhalla forming a two-member inquiry panel, the Cocomi is demanding an independent probe led by a retired judge, calling the current effort inadequate.  

The organisation has announced a public boycott of Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla for failing to apologise over the alleged removal of the word “Manipur” from a state-run bus.

The incident occurred on May 20, when an MST (Manipur State Transport) bus ferrying journalists to Ukhrul for the Shirui Lily Festival was stopped at Gwaltabi, Imphal East. 

Security forces, including personnel from a central force, reportedly asked officials onboard to conceal the word “Manipur” on the bus, sparking outrage.

The forces reportedly asked that the word 'Manipur' be 'hidden or removed' from the vehicle's signage before allowing the media team to proceed to cover the inaugural function of the fifth Shirui Lily Festival.

An official order issued by the home department of Manipur said that an inquiry committee has been constituted to examine the facts and circumstances around the incident involving security personnel and Manipur State Road Transport bus carrying media personnel to cover the Manipur Shirui Festival, 2025 on 20,5,2025 near Gwalatabi check post in Imphal East district.

The inquiry committee shall consist of N Ashok Kumar, commissioner (Home), government of Manipur, and Th Kirankumar Singh, secretary (IT), government of Manipur. The committee will submit its report in 15 days.

Reacting over the episode, the northeast in-charge of BJP, Sambit Patra has reiterated that Manipur’s “integrity is non-negotiable”.

“I would like to congratulate the state of Manipur for conducting the Shirui Lily festival after two years. From May 17 to May 20, about three to four Manipur state transport buses carrying about 2,000 people have travelled to Ukhrul, where the Shirui Lily festival is being conducted. 

However, an unfortunate incident has happened on Tuesday which was an avoidable misunderstanding,” Patra said in a message.

“I firmly like to reiterate that as far as the integrity of Manipur is concerned, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also maintained, something which is non-negotiable. It’s something which we always stand for,” Patra said.

Former chief minister of Manipur N Biren Singh echoed the same and said, “What is this that the state’s name cannot be written in Manipur. Whoever is behind such irresponsible actions should be punished. I stand with the journalist fraternity and the people of Manipur, Singh said.