Protesters demand end to ‘alien administration’, call for resignations over Manipur identity crisis

Tensions escalated in Imphal East district as a large group of protesters, primarily women, attempted to storm the office of the District Commissioner (DC) in a show of defiance against what they term an ongoing “identity crisis” in Manipur.

The protest is part of a wider agitation spearheaded by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), now in its fourth day. Demonstrators from across Imphal East, carrying placards and raising slogans, marched towards the DC complex to condemn recent actions perceived as attempts to undermine Manipur’s state identity.

Security forces, both state and central, were heavily deployed and stopped the protesters nearly one kilometre away from the DC office, at the DC Road Junction. 

A brief scuffle broke out between the protesters and security personnel, but tensions were defused when authorities allowed a select group to meet the DC.

The protesters submitted a memorandum with strong demands - a public apology from the Governor, and the resignation of the Chief Secretary, Security Adviser, and Director General of Police (DGP). 

These demands, they said, stem from a growing sense of alienation and disrespect towards the people and identity of Manipur.

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The immediate trigger for the agitation was a May 20 incident, when central forces from the Mahar Regiment reportedly directed the removal of the words “Manipur State” from a Manipur State Transport bus carrying journalists to the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul. The incident sparked outrage and was seen as a direct insult to the state’s identity.

Protesters carried placards such as “We stand against alien administration in Manipur”, “President Rule must stop insulting the state’s identity”, “Security Advisor, DGP, and Chief Secretary must resign”,  “Governor should tender apology to people of Manipur”.

One of the protestors condemned the heavy deployment of forces during a peaceful democratic protest: “Being citizens of a democratic state, we have every right to agitate peacefully. Deploying large forces to stop us is unacceptable. We are here holding placards, not weapons.”

COCOMI and civil society groups have maintained that their protest is not just about a single incident, but about the larger question of respecting and preserving Manipur’s political and cultural identity. The ongoing unrest reflects growing dissatisfaction over central administrative decisions and security operations in the state under President’s Rule.

As of now, the Imphal East district administration has not issued an official response to the memorandum. However, the movement shows no signs of slowing down, with COCOMI indicating that further protests and civil actions will continue until their demands are addressed.