As protests intensify over the removal of the state’s name from a government bus windshield, Manipur Congress president Keisham Meghachandra has slammed the Centre, alleging that the President’s Rule has “failed” to restore peace in the violence-hit state.

The Congress leader demanded that Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, who assumed office in January, be recalled immediately, accusing him of failing to handle the ongoing crisis.

“The double-engine government has already failed Manipur for over two years. President’s Rule, too, has failed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeatedly fails Manipur. Home Minister Amit Shah should resign. Manipur Governor should be recalled,” Meghachandra, who is also the Wangkhem MLA, wrote in a post on X.

His comments come amid a surge of protests sparked by an incident on May 20, where security forces allegedly forced staff from the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) to cover the word “Manipur” on a state-run bus. The bus, carrying journalists to the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district, was stopped at the Gwaltabi check post, about 25 km from Imphal.

Referring to the controversial incident, Meghachandra questioned, “Who instructed the Manipur Governor to remove the word ‘Manipur’ from the Manipur State Transport Corporation bus?”

Anger over the incident has spilled into the streets, with students and women’s groups forming a six-kilometre-long human chain on Monday from Imphal airport to Keisampat, just a short distance from the Governor’s residence. In light of the protest, Governor Bhalla opted to travel from Imphal airport to Kangla Fort by Army helicopter, avoiding the road journey to Raj Bhavan, located about seven kilometres away.

“Manipur Governor had to take a helicopter to fly from Imphal International Airport to Raj Bhavan today,” Meghachandra remarked, further criticizing the administration’s disconnect from the people.

The Centre imposed President’s Rule in Manipur on February 13, following Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s resignation amid ongoing ethnic clashes. The state assembly, with a tenure till 2027, remains under suspended animation.

Since May 2023, over 260 people have lost their lives and thousands have been displaced due to ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.