DMCC, MSAD, MAIYON and UNIKAS Condemns Assault on Manipur’s Identity by Indian Security Forces
DELHI MEETEI CO ORDINATING COMMITTEE / 21th May 2025
Delhi Meitei Coordinating Committee (DMCC), MSAD, MAIYON and UNIKAS jointly organised a press conference today, 21st May 2025 at Press Club of India. DMCC, MSAD, MAIYON and UNIKAS vehemently condemns the shameful and provocative act by the Maha Regiment at the Gwalthabi checkpoint (25 km from Imphal) on 20th May 2025, where they ordered the removal of the ‘Manipur’ signage from a Manipur State Transport (MST) bus carrying media personnel to cover the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district. This act is not merely an administrative directive but a deliberate assault on Manipur’s identity, sovereignty, and existence within India. The removal of ‘Manipur’ nomenclature under the guise of ‘security concerns’—despite prior assurances of safety—exposes a deeprooted conspiracy to erase Manipur’s cultural and political identity. Security Forces as Divisible Forces: Indian State’s Proxy War Against Manipur For two years, Manipur has endured an Indian state-sponsored proxy
war, where the Indian government has weaponized sectarian Kuki militant groups to destabilize the state. The Governor-chaired meeting’s decision to remove Manipur’s name from its own transport (as revealed by Security Advisor Kuldeep) confirms that this is a premeditated insult directed from the highest levels of the Indian state.
The order to erase the word ‘Manipur’ from a government-owned vehicle is not a trivial matter. It is symbolic of an insidious effort to erase the identity and presence of Manipur within its own soil. This incident illustrates a wider pattern of discriminatory Indian state policy and military overreach targeting the Meitei community and undermining the sovereignty and dignity of Manipur as an integral state within the Indian Union. Dr. Seram Rojesh, Convenor, DMCC, stated: “The Indian forces, instead of protecting the people, are enforcing act that humiliate Manipur and appease Kuki militants. This is not a communal conflict but a manufactured crisis by the Indian state to dismantle Manipur’s integrity.” “The Indian security forces, who are meant to protect the citizens, have instead chosen to erase the identity of a state by ordering the removal of the ‘Manipur’ name from a state-owned bus. This is not an isolated act—it is a manifestation of a two-year-long conflict that has increasingly revealed itself to be a Indian state-sponsored proxy war aimed at dismantling the existence of Manipur.” According to credible reports, including a statement made by the Security Advisor to Manipur, this decision was taken at a meeting chaired by the Governor. If this is indeed true, it confirms the institutional nature of this assault on Manipur’s identity.
Insult to Media, Democracy, and Manipur’s Sacrifices for India Hijam Rajen, Advisor, DMCC, highlighted: “Manipur has always stood firm in its contribution to the Indian nation—from Major Jotin’s sacrifice in Afghanistan, BSF Jawan Deepak in Jammu to Mirabai Chanu’s global achievements in sports. Yet, the events of May 20 have deeply wounded the sentiments of our people, raising the painful question—was it a mistake to agree to the Merger Agreement? Is India governed by democratic principles or by the whims of armed forces?” Sangeeta Keisham, Spokesperson, Women’s Wing, DMCC, denounced the incident as an attack on press freedom and an orchestrated effort to suppress Meitei identity in particular. This was not an ‘avoidable incident’ as stated by Sambit Patra, rather a targeted humiliation of Meiteis and Manipur. Journalists are unsafe in their own land. Hiding our identity while attending the festival meant to address the beauty of love and coexistence is unacceptable—Manipur is not India’s playground. Shirui Lily Festival: A Peace Event Sabotaged by Divisive Forces Neilchandra, DMCC member, remarked: “The Shirui Lily Festival is meant to foster unity among communities in Manipur. But the removal of ‘Manipur’ signage sends a message of exclusion, suggesting that Manipur has been erased from the map of India. This is intolerable and goes against the very fabric of Indian. Stop this religious and ethnic partiality.”
Dr. Bobo, DMCC Spokesman, concluded: “This is not just a harassment of Manipur’s media fraternity but an assault to the whole media industry as it is an attack on the fourth pillar of democracy. To appease Kuki militants and humiliate Meitei people in their own land is a dangerous precedent. Let it be remembered that the first Indian flag was hoisted in Moirang by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. If we can travel from Kashmir to Kanyakumari with dignity, why not within Manipur?” DMCC’s Demands:
1. The Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Defence Minister must explain why efforts are being made to erase Manipur’s identity and issue a public apology for these actions.
2. Since Manipur was taken over by India in 1949 and hence integrated into the Union, the Government of India has a moral, legal, and obligation to protect the integrity of Manipur and the rights of its people.
3. Any attempt to balkanize Manipur or forcibly remove its name and identity from its own land constitutes an act of aggression and a provocation that threatens peace and incites violence against the people of Manipur.
4. Withdrawal of security forces if they cannot protect Manipur’s identity.
5. Cessation of Indian state-sponsored violence via Kuki militants.
6. Assurance of free movement for media & citizens in Manipur.
7. Stop supporting and protecting Kuki militants/terrorist organisation under the name of Suspension of Operation
Conclusion
Manipur will not surrender its identity. The Indian state’s complicity in this cultural genocide must end. If Manipur divide, it’s an attack on the cultural diversity of India. Manipur has been built through the blood, sweat, and sacrifices of its people over generations. We will not compromise or allow the erasure of our identity from the soil of our own land Issued by Naorem Lilina Media Coordinator, Women’s Wing, DMCC.
(This story has not been edited by News Mania staff and is published from a Media Release)
