Manipur Governor Takes Helicopter for Under-6km Trip to Sidestep Road Protests in Imphal

Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla used a helicopter to travel a short distance of less than 6 km from Imphal Airport to Raj Bhavan on Monday to avoid large protests along the road.

The protest was led by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a conglomerate of civil society organisations. Hundreds of people, including students, formed a human chain along Tiddim Road, from the airport to Keishampat Junction, covering about 5.5 km.

This protest was part of a wider agitation by the COCOMI. The group is demanding that the Governor apologizes to the people and that the Chief Secretary P.K. Singh, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, and DGP Rajiv Singh either resign or be transferred.

The protests began after a Manipur State Transport bus carrying journalists to Ukhrul for the Shirui Lily Festival on May 20 was stopped by central security forces. The security personnel reportedly told the bus staff to remove the word "Manipur" from its signage. Many people in the state saw this act as a direct insult to Manipur’s identity.

Governor Bhalla had left for Delhi on May 21 along with Chief Secretary P.K. Singh. He returned to Imphal today, but the reason for his Delhi visit has not been made public.

As news of his return spread, protesters again lined up along Tiddim Road, displaying banners that read "Governor must tender apology to the people of Manipur” and “Apologize to Manipur or leave Manipur.”

Security forces guarded the route to prevent any trouble. To avoid the protestors, the Governor and the Chief Secretary left the airport in an Indian army helicopter and landed at Kangla Fort, near Raj Bhavan.

Some protesters tried to burn an effigy of the Governor at Kwakeithel Bazaar, Imphal West, but police quickly stopped them and took the effigy away.

For about an hour from 3 pm to around 4 pm all the vehicles passing in front of Raj Bhavan were diverted causing huge traffic congestion. All the vehicles heading towards eastern side of Keishampat were blocked at Keishampat bridge and diverted towards Wahengbam Leikai, and vehicles heading towards Raj Bhavan from Imphal Post office were also diverted to Sanjenthong bridge while similar brigades were also set up in front of Kangla Western Gate to block those vehicles heading towards Raj Bhavan.

Later, at around 4 pm, the roadblocks were opened. (NNN)