𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝗸𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘀’𝘀 “𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗽𝘂𝗿” 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱.

Hundreds of students in Manipur’s Kakching district staged a protest rally condemning the removal of the word “Manipur” from a state-owned bus by central security forces at Gwaltabi, under Imphal East district.
The incident occurred on May 20, when a team of journalists was reportedly instructed by security personnel at the Gwaltabi checkpoint, around 25 kilometers from Imphal, to conceal the “Manipur State Transport” signage on their official vehicle en route to cover the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district. The media team subsequently abandoned their assignment and returned to the capital.
Protesters called the act unfortunate and raised serious concerns over the rationale behind removing the name of the state from a Manipur government vehicle operating within the state itself. Demonstrators said the action undermines the territorial integrity of Manipur and questioned its implications on public unity.
Placards held by students read messages such as “Remove DGP and Security Adviser” and “Don’t Disintegrate Manipur.”
The incident has also sparked debate over freedom of the press, public safety, and the broader security environment in Manipur. Media personnel and civil society groups have demanded clarity from the authorities on the instruction and the reasoning behind it.