At least seven people were injured on Sunday afternoon after security forces fired tear gas and smoke bombs to disperse protesters marching towards the Raj Bhavan in Imphal. The protest was sparked by outrage over an alleged directive to remove the word “Manipur” from a Manipur State Transport (MST) bus used during the Shirui Festival in Ukhrul district.

The demonstration was led by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a prominent civil society coalition. Protesters gathered at Khwairamband Keithel and marched approximately 500 metres before being stopped by security personnel near Kangla Western Gate. It was there that police reportedly used force to break up the crowd, injuring at least seven, with some reports putting the figure higher.

The protesters were demanding an apology from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, accusing him of refusing to address the removal of the state’s name from the MST bus. COCOMI, which has been at the forefront of the ongoing civil unrest in the state, condemned the excessive use of force on what it described as a peaceful demonstration.

In response to the incident, COCOMI announced a statewide agitation and reiterated its demand for the immediate resignation of the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police (DGP), and the Security Advisor, holding them responsible for administrative failures and the use of excessive force under President’s Rule.