In an try to put the row over overlaying of the phrase ‘Manipur’ on a state transport bus to relaxation, state Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh Thursday expressed remorse over the incident and introduced an inquiry into it.
Making it clear that there was “no directions” to cowl the phrase ‘Manipur’, Singh, who was addressing mediapersons in Imphal together with Kuldeip Singh, Safety Adviser to Manipur authorities, stated, “The state administration has taken the reported untoward incident with utmost seriousness and the incident is deeply regretted… The state can even be sure that such an incident doesn’t happen in future.”
Chief Secretary Singh stated that Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has constituted an inquiry committee comprising the Commissioner (Dwelling) and the Secretary IT which can submit its report in a time-bound method.
Emphasising that the state administration was “dedicated to the integrity of the state of Manipur”, he assured that after the report is submitted “and people answerable for the lapses, if any, are recognized, strict motion can be taken”.
On Might 20, safety forces allegedly stopped a state-run bus, carrying journalists to cowl the Shirui Lily competition in Ukhrul district, close to the Gwaltabi checkpost and compelled Directorate of Data and Public Relations (DIPR) staffers to cowl the state’s identify written on the windshield with a white paper.
Within the Valley, this was seen as an insult to the state which led to widespread protest.
In line with Singh, there was “no directions in any way and even distant considered overlaying the identify of the state”. “This has been amply clarified by the state authorities in addition to by the accountable political management. What transpired on the bottom, can be revealed after a radical inquiry solely,” Singh stated.
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Amid large protests, Governor Bhalla, who was getting back from Delhi after a gathering, was taken in a chopper to Raj Bhavan from the Imphal airport on Monday.
Congress state president Ok Meghachandra Singh has stated the incident confirmed the failure of President’s Rule within the state.
Chief Secretary Singh additionally stated that the competition was organised “as a part of normalcy-restoration course of” and it attracted about 1.7 lakh individuals.
“Individuals of all communities travelled with households from valley areas and different components of the state in addition to from outdoors the state, to Ukhrul to attend the competition because the state administration supplied foolproof safety and secure surroundings for festive actions. Nevertheless, one unlucky incident on twentieth of Might 2025, when a Manipur State Highway Transport Bus ferrying journalists to the Shirui Competition was stopped and the identify of the state was reportedly coated, has drawn broad criticism,” he stated.