Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla reportedly left Imphal International Airport by helicopter to reach Raj Bhavan - a distance of just around 4 km - in an apparent attempt to avoid a large group of irate protesters waiting along the airport road.
The protest is part of the ongoing agitation led by COCOMI (Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity), which entered its second day today, May 26. As part of the demonstrations, a large number of protesters, including students, gathered and formed a human chain along the road leading to Imphal International Airport.
Protesters began lining the roadside from around 11 am with the intent to peacefully express their condemnation as the Governor was scheduled to arrive at around 1:30 pm. A heavy deployment of both state and central security forces was in place to manage the crowd and prevent any untoward incidents.
Despite waiting for more than three hours, the protesters were unable to meet the Governor. At around 3 pm, Governor Bhalla reportedly departed from the airport by helicopter instead of taking the road to Raj Bhavan.
As the helicopter took off, a section of the protesters began marching towards Kangla Western Gate - where the Governor’s helicopter was expected to land - but they were unable to reach the site in time.
RK Tharaksana, Convenor of COCOMI’s Women Wing, strongly condemned the Governor for "escaping" from the protest by airlifting to Raj Bhavan. “Protesters were standing peacefully by the roadside to express their discontent, but instead of facing them, the Governor chose to take a helicopter, which is unfortunate,” she said.
She added, “His decision to fly just 4 km to Raj Bhavan shows that he acknowledges his mistake. If not, why avoid the demonstrators?”
Warning that the agitation will continue until the Governor tenders an apology over the recent identity row incident, she said, “Since yesterday, COCOMI’s democratic form of protest has been ongoing. Despite facing the use of force from security personnel, our movement will continue until our demands are met.”
Key demands include:
Protesters held placards with messages such as: “Apologise or leave Manipur”, “Don’t disintegrate Manipur”, and “Do not abolish the Meitei community.”
It is worth noting that the agitation was triggered after central forces from the Mahar Regiment allegedly directed the removal of the words "Manipur State" from a transport bus carrying journalists.
The incident occurred on May 20, 2024, when the bus was en route to Ukhrul to cover the Shirui Lily Festival 2025.
