Amid widespread protests and criticism over the alleged removal of “Manipur State” signage from a government bus carrying journalists to the 5th Shirui Lily Festival, BJP National Spokesperson and North East in-charge Sambit Patra has issued a clarification, calling the episode an “avoidable misunderstanding” and reaffirming that the integrity of Manipur is “non-negotiable.”

In a late-night video statement on Tuesday, Patra congratulated the people of Manipur for hosting the Shirui Lily Festival after a two-year hiatus and addressed the controversy that erupted at the Gwaltabi checkpoint in Imphal East district.

“I would like to congratulate the state of Manipur for, in fact, after two years, conducting the Shirui Lily Festival,” Patra said. “From May 17 to 20, around 3 to 4 Manipur State Transport buses carrying approximately 2,000 people travelled to Ukhrul where the festival is being held.”

Referring to the incident in which security personnel allegedly asked journalists to conceal the MST signage on their bus, Patra said, “Today, an unfortunate incident has happened, I believe, due to an avoidable misunderstanding.”

He stressed that the central government, led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has always stood firmly for the state’s territorial integrity. “The integrity of the state of Manipur is something which is non-negotiable. It is something we always stand for,” Patra asserted.

Addressing speculation surrounding the incident, Patra urged the public not to view it as a conspiracy. “After two years, the kind of normalcy and peace returning to Manipur through festivities is something to be celebrated, not conspired. Anyone who feels this is a conspiracy — I, on behalf of the BJP, assure you it is not. Have faith in us.”

The statement comes amid a backlash from media bodies in Manipur, who condemned the incident as an attack on press freedom and state authority. The All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) and Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) have launched a pen-down strike and announced a boycott of government-related news in protest.