GUWAHATI: Normal life was thrown out of gear in Manipur’s Imphal Valley on Thursday during a general strike called by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI).
The Meitei organisation called the strike in protest against Tuesday’s incident, in which a media team headed to cover the state government-sponsored Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district was allegedly instructed by security personnel to conceal the words “Manipur State Transport” displayed on a government bus in which the scribes were travelling.
The Imphal Valley wore a deserted look as all modes of vehicles remained off the roads. Shops and other commercial establishments, markets, educational institutions, and government and private offices remained closed.
Protestors were out on the roads to enforce the 48-hour strike, which began at midnight on Wednesday.
No report of violence was received. Authorities deployed security personnel in sensitive areas to thwart any untoward incidents. The strike, however, had no impact in the Kuki and Naga hills.
On Wednesday, COCOMI had demanded an apology from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and the resignation of the state’s Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, Chief Secretary P.K. Singh, and Director General of Police Rajiv Singh, holding them responsible for the incident, which “undermined the identity of Manipur, its name, pride and respect.”
The organisation accused them of surrendering “the pride, dignity and legitimacy of the state to the narco-terrorist groups.”
The state government has already ordered a probe into the incident and constituted a two-member inquiry committee comprising Commissioner (Home) N. Ashok Kumar and Secretary (IT) Th. Kirankumar Singh.
The committee has been asked to look into lapses, if any, suggest measures to prevent a recurrence of such a situation, and submit its report within 15 days.
The festival, which celebrates the iconic state flower Shirui Lily, was inaugurated by the Governor on Tuesday.