Around 20 journalists, traveling on a state-organized bus, were stopped at Gwaltabi checkpoint and told to hide the bus’s identity. The command reportedly came from the 4th Mahar Regiment’s commanding officer, triggering widespread condemnation. The All Manipur Working Journalists Union has announced a strike and protest rally.
BY PC Bureau
May 20, 2025 —
A group of journalists en route to cover the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district faced harassment and were forced to turn back to Imphal after being allegedly instructed by personnel of the 4th Mahar Regiment to conceal the words “Manipur State Transport” on their official bus. The incident, which took place at the Gwaltabi checkpoint in Imphal East on Monday morning, has sparked widespread condemnation from media organizations, civil society groups, and political outfits in Manipur.
Army Directive Sparks Confusion and Protest
The media team, comprising around 20 journalists and staff from the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), had departed Imphal at 6:30 AM in a state-arranged Manipur State Transport (MST) bus to attend the inaugural function of the Shirui Lily Festival, which was to be graced by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. The vehicle, clearly marked with the MST insignia, had passed at least three checkpoints without issue before arriving at Gwaltabi.
In an embarassing incident, Security Forces allegedly instructed Manipur State Transport Bus carrying media enroute to cover Shirui festival to cover ‘Manipur State Transport.’ This defeats the very purpose of holding the festival.
Dear @BhallaAjay26 @RajBhavManipur
What’s… pic.twitter.com/XtK9v5e4dg
— Meitei Heritage Society (@meiteiheritage) May 20, 2025
At Gwaltabi, approximately 25 km from the state capital, soldiers from the 4th Mahar Regiment allegedly instructed the journalists to cover up the word “Manipur” on the bus. The directive, reportedly issued under the orders of the regiment’s Commanding Officer, was met with confusion and indignation by the media team, who saw the instruction as an affront to the state’s identity and a violation of their press freedom.
After extended negotiations and delays, the team chose to abandon the assignment and return to Imphal, making their way back in privately arranged vehicles.
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Letter to Governor Condemns “Blatantly Illegal” Orders
The All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) and the Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) swiftly condemned the incident in a joint letter to the Hon’ble Governor of Manipur. The letter, signed by AMWJU General Secretary Khwairakpam Naoba and EGM Secretary General Yumnam Rupachandra, described the order as “blatantly illegal” and raised serious questions about press freedom and state sovereignty.
“This incident has triggered serious questions regarding the freedom of the press, public safety, and the existing security environment in the region, including the issue of who is governing the state: the State Government or the Central Security Forces,” the letter stated.
The media representatives expressed deep concern over why a state-run vehicle was targeted, especially during a state-sponsored event that had received prior security clearance. While the exact motivation behind the directive remains unclear, the order may have been issued in view of threats issued by some elements to target those travelling to attend the festival from the Meitei community.
A DIPR arranged Manipur State Road Transport Buses ferrying pressmen and women for covering Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul returned towards Imphal after they were told to remove/cover the word ‘Manipur and Plate No.’ from the Buses despite heavy deployment of Central Security… pic.twitter.com/e44Oongk5y
— Dr. Lamtinthang Haokip (@DrLamtinthangHk) May 20, 2025
Political and Civil Society Outrage
The incident has drawn condemnation from several quarters. Meitei organizations labeled the action “anti-national” and accused the Army of undermining Manipur’s sovereignty. The Republican Party of India (Athawale), Manipur State Unit, has called for an independent inquiry to determine the chain of command behind the directive. Meitei Heritage Society also condemned the incident and questioned was it complete failure of the state government.
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In response to the incident, a joint emergency meeting of the AMWJU and EGM was held on May 20, 2025, at the Manipur Press Club in Imphal. The meeting resolved to take several actions, including launching a pen-down strike on May 21, 2025, and boycotting all Manipur State Government-related news and information. Additional demands include an inquiry into the incident, penalizing responsible government officials, and taking action against those in charge of the area where the incident occurred.
An emergency General Body Meeting is scheduled for May 21 at 11:00 AM at the Manipur Press Club to deliberate further steps.
A Setback Amid Fragile Peace
The Shirui Lily Festival, named after the rare and endangered lily endemic to the Shirui Hills, is the first major tourism and cultural event to be held in the region since ethnic violence broke out in May 2023. The route from Imphal to Ukhrul traverses sensitive areas, including villages with a Kuki-Zo majority, necessitating heightened security involving both Army and BSF deployments.
Despite repeated assurances from Manipur Police and local officials that media and public officials would be granted safe passage, the harassment faced by the journalists has cast a shadow over the event and undermined public confidence in state-central coordination.
The Governor’s Office has yet to release an official statement. However, media organizations have urged the Raj Bhavan to urgently address the issue, identify those responsible, and ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future.
As tensions mount in a state already scarred by conflict, the harassment of journalists during a government-sanctioned cultural festival may be more than a security lapse — it could be a telling symptom of deeper administrative fault lines in Manipur’s fragile governance landscape.
