Manipur Police have strongly rebutted allegations claiming IGP Themthing Ngashangva stormed the Maharaja’s residence. They insist the officer only approached the Palace gate amid escalating protests, as guards allegedly allowed demonstrators inside, complicating crowd-control operations.
BY PC Bureau
November 21, 2025: A major controversy has erupted in Manipur after Rajya Sabha MP and titular king of Manipur, Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba, accused Inspector General of Police (IGP) Themthing Ngashangva of storming into the Royal Palace compound and threatening his security personnel. The alleged incident occurred on November 20 around 1:30 pm, at the height of protests by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and civil society groups opposing the Sangai Festival 2025.
The MP’s office submitted a formal complaint to Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, stating that IGP Ngashangva entered the Palace compound without permission, confronte
d the guards, and accused the MP of sheltering IDPs and organising rallies against the festival. The complaint, filed by the MP’s personal secretary, Maisnam Shivadutta Singh, further alleges that the IGP warned the guards that an FIR would be lodged against them. The MP has demanded strong action against the senior police officer, including suspension, to “restore the dignity and respect of the Maharaja.”
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However, the Manipur Police have rejected the allegations, describing them as inaccurate and misleading. According to the police version, a crowd of protesters—who defied prohibitory orders—had moved towards the Royal Palace after confrontations with security forces near Govindajee Crossing. Police claimed that the group attempted to breach multiple barricades and that some protestors threw bottles and placards while hurling racial slurs at the IGP. As the mob proceeded toward the Palace, the police say the guards opened the gate and allowed the protesters to enter the compound.
The police insist that IGP Ngashangva never crossed the Palace gate. They say he approached it only to question the guards about why they had permitted the protestors inside, given the volatile situation outside. A case has since been registered at Porompat Police Station under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for assault on a public servant, obstruction of duty, criminal trespass and other related offences. The police are also examining video footage to identify those involved in the alleged assault on the officer.
Amid the escalating war of words, the Tribal Youth Council Manipur (TYCM) has issued a statement expressing “deep disappointment” with the MP’s allegations. The council said the complaint appears to be an attempt to tarnish the IGP’s reputation at a time when he has been working under extraordinary pressure to maintain law and order. The organisation urged social media users to refrain from spreading derogatory remarks against the officer, warning that it would respond firmly if defamatory content continued.
The clash between the MP’s office and the state police comes at a sensitive time, as thousands of IDPs remain displaced more than two years after the outbreak of ethnic violence. Civil society groups and displaced families have held repeated demonstrations in recent weeks, accusing the government of prioritising the Sangai Festival over relief and rehabilitation efforts. The latest episode threatens to deepen tensions between political institutions, security agencies, and the public at a time when trust in the administration is already fragile.
