Manipur Congress slams governor’s airlift, calls it failure of central governance

The Manipur Congress has strongly criticised the airlifting of Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla from Imphal International Airport to Raj Bhavan, describing it as a clear failure of the Government of India’s administration in the state.

 

Speaking to the media, during the 61st death anniversary observance of Pt Jawaharlal Nehru at Congress Bhavan, former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh questioned why the governor had to be flown by helicopter over a distance of just around 7 kilometres.

 

“This is not a hilly or difficult terrain. If the governor cannot travel 7 kilometres by road from the airport to Raj Bhavan, it shows the complete failure of the Government of India’s rule in Manipur,” Ibobi said.

 

On May 27, Governor Bhalla was flown from Imphal International Airport to Kangla and then Raj Bhavan, instead of taking the road route. The airlift reportedly took place as large groups of demonstrators, organised under the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), assembled along the road leading from the airport.

 

Protesters began lining the roadside from around 11 am, aiming to register a peaceful demonstration during the governor’s scheduled arrival at approximately 1:30 pm. Despite heavy deployment of both state and central forces, the protesters did not get to see the governor, who departed by helicopter at around 3 pm.

 

As the helicopter took off, a section of the protesters moved toward the Kangla western gate, where the helicopter was expected to land, but they were unable to reach the area.

 

The ongoing agitation was sparked by a May 20 incident at Gwaltabi, where central forces from the 4 Mahar Regiment reportedly ordered the removal of “Manipur State” signage from a transport bus carrying journalists to the Shirui Lily Festival. Ibobi demanded a public apology from those responsible for the order.

 

Responding to questions about the BJP's inability to form a government in the state, Ibobi said, “There is a BJP government at the Centre and the governor is the competent authority. If BJP MLAs come together and stake claim, the governor cannot deny it.” He blamed the party’s internal divisions for the continued absence of an elected government.