COCOMI to intensify protest, seeks guv apology

Imphal: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has said it will not engage in any dialogue with governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla until he issues a public apology for the events of May 20 at Gwaltabi.

COCOMI also said it will intensify agitations by gheraoing the gate of the governor's bungalow starting Sunday.

The decision was made public during a press briefing held by COCOMI convener Khuraijam Athouba at the committee's office in Lamphel on Saturday. Athouba said the COCOMI has resolved to escalate the agitation after consultation with member organisations as the demand for an apology from the governor over the Gwaltabi incident has not been met.

On May 20, a Manipur State Transport bus carrying 22 journalists under a DIPR-sponsored trip, was reportedly stopped by personnel of the 4th Mahar Regiment.

The security forces allegedly detained the bus and demanded that the words ‘Manipur State Transport' be erased or concealed from the front windshield.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha member Maharaja Sanajaoba Leisemba has written to the governor to trace the wrong doers and initiate an exemplary action to avoid such incidents in the future.