COCOMI calls 48-hour strike over journalist transport censorship en route to Shirui fest

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has called for a 48-hour general strike across Manipur beginning midnight following an incident where security forces allegedly instructed journalists to conceal the words "Manipur State Transport" on their government vehicle.

 

The incident occurred on Tuesday, May 20, at the Gwaltabi checkpoint in Imphal East, where approximately 20 journalists travelling to cover the Shirui Lily Festival were stopped by personnel from the Mahar Regiment.

 

"This undermines the very identity of our state," said COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba during a press conference announcing the strike action.

 

The organisation is demanding the immediate resignation of Manipur's Security Advisor, Director General of Police, and Chief Secretary within the strike period. Additionally, they are calling for a public apology from the Governor.

 

It may be mentioned, the media team was travelling in a bus specially arranged by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations to cover the festival's opening ceremony, which was to be inaugurated by the Governor of Manipur.

 

While the vehicle had cleared three previous checkpoints without issue, security personnel at Gwaltabi allegedly instructed the team to hide the phrase "Manipur State Transport" displayed on the bus. The journalists questioned why they needed to conceal the name of a state government department while operating within that same state.

 

After delays caused by negotiations with security forces, the media team eventually abandoned their assignment and returned to Imphal, later arranging their own transportation.