Effigies of top officials burnt in Manipur; 48-hour bandh

Imphal: Tensions flared on Friday, the final day of a 48-hour state-wide bandh in Manipur, as protesters set fire to effigies of top government and security officials in Bishnupur district. The bandh, called by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), saw demonstrators — mostly women volunteers — burning effigies of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Manipur Governor, Chief Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, State Police Chief Prasant Kumar Singh, and the State Security Advisor. The symbolic protest took place at Bishnupur Bazaar, where demonstrators demanded the immediate resignation of the named officials, blaming them for what they termed as "reckless administration" in handling the ongoing crisis in Manipur. The bandh was sparked by a controversial incident on May 20, when security forces reportedly removed the word “Manipur” from a government-allotted media vehicle headed to the Shirui Lily Festival at the Gwaltabi check post. Protesters claim this act disrespected the state’s identity and highlighted systemic mishandling of sensitive issues, especially those related to press freedom. "This kind of act is not just an administrative lapse but an insult to the people of Manipur," said one of the COCOMI volunteers on-site. Despite an intervention by Bishnupur district police, who attempted to disrupt the effigy burning, no arrests were made. Protesters continued their demonstration, chanting slogans demanding the resignation of the central and state officials involved. COCOMI leaders reiterated their call for accountability, stating that the current leadership has consistently failed to manage state affairs responsibly, especially during periods of unrest and media engagement. The bandh disrupted normal life across several parts of Manipur, with roads blocked and shops shut, as civil society groups and local communities rallied behind COCOMI’s demands. Authorities have yet to release an official response to the effigy burning and demands for resignations.