Kakching students protest against removal of 'Manipur' signage from bus

Hundreds of students in Manipur's Kakching district staged a protest rally condemning the removal of the word “Manipur” from a state-owned bus by central security forces at Gwaltabi, under Imphal East district.
 

The incident occurred on May 20, when a team of journalists was reportedly instructed by security personnel at the Gwaltabi checkpoint, around 25 kilometers from Imphal, to conceal the “Manipur State Transport” signage on their official vehicle en route to cover the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district. The media team subsequently abandoned their assignment and returned to the capital.
 

Protesters called the act unfortunate and raised serious concerns over the rationale behind removing the name of the state from a Manipur government vehicle operating within the state itself. Demonstrators said the action undermines the territorial integrity of Manipur and questioned its implications on public unity.
 

Placards held by students read messages such as “Remove DGP and Security Adviser” and “Don’t Disintegrate Manipur.”
 

The incident has also sparked debate over freedom of the press, public safety, and the broader security environment in Manipur. Media personnel and civil society groups have demanded clarity from the authorities on the instruction and the reasoning behind it.