Journalists aboard the MST bus recounted multiple stops at checkpoints during their journey from Imphal to Ukhrul. They were instructed to remove the “Manipur State Transport” printed display on top of the front wind-screen of the vehicle.
TFM Report
A team of journalists heading to cover the opening ceremony of the 5th Shirui Lily Festival in Manipur was forced to turn back after personnel from the MAHAR Regiment and the Border Security Force (BSF) stopped their bus at Gwaltabi in Imphal East district.
The incident took place on Tuesday morning, coinciding with the commencement of the five-day cultural event in Ukhrul district. This year’s edition is particularly significant as it marks the festival’s return following a hiatus caused by ethnic violence that erupted in the state in May 2023.
Festival Planning and Transportation Logistics
On May 8, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla chaired the second meeting of the festival’s organising committee at Raj Bhavan in Imphal. The discussion focused on key operational aspects such as budget, scheduling, security protocols, transport logistics, crowd control measures, accommodation, cultural showcases, and promotional campaigns.
To facilitate travel, the Manipur State Transport (MST) had earlier issued a notice on May 6, announcing dedicated bus services between Imphal and Ukhrul from May 20 to 24. Three buses were scheduled to operate between the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) in Imphal and the Shirui Public Ground in Ukhrul, charging ₹200 per passenger.
As per a directive from the Director of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Manipur, on May 19, a dedicated transport service was arranged to carry accredited media personnel from the DIPR office at Nityaipat Chuthek, Imphal, to the festival venue.
Heightened Security on Route Through Conflict-Sensitive Areas
Security along National Highway 202—which links Imphal East with Ukhrul—was placed under the control of BSF and Army units in the lead-up to the event. Despite Ukhrul being a Naga-majority district that has remained relatively calm during the state’s recent ethnic unrest, a strong security presence was considered necessary. Meitei attendees would need to pass through six Kuki-Zo villages—Mongneljang, Gwaltabi, Zalenbung, Mongot-Chepu, Litan, and Sareikhong—posing potential risks. Two other nearby villages, Thawai Kuki and Zaolen, also fall within the sensitive zone.
In a public advisory issued on Monday, Ukhrul Additional Deputy Commissioner Polly Makan instructed travellers to use the Yaingangpokpi route between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. “Visitors travelling after 4 p.m. will be escorted by security personnel,” she stated, adding that “no movement will be permitted after midnight to ensure safety and order.”
Media Team Intercepted and Forced to Return
Journalists onboard the MST bus reported multiple stops at checkpoints between Imphal and Ukhrul. According to one team member, “At Gwaltabi in Imphal East, BSF personnel told us to remove the ‘Manipur State Transport’ signage from our bus. We complied by covering the printed display of MST on the windscreen of the bus with paper, but shortly after, a team from the MAHAR Regiment arrived and ordered us not to proceed.”
The journalist expressed frustration, saying, “We were scheduled to report on the festival’s inauguration at 11 a.m. Being held back until 10 a.m. made it impossible for us to cover the event. We weren’t headed there for leisure—we were on duty.”
Ultimately, the team arranged for a private vehicle and returned to Imphal. Meanwhile, the remaining MST buses were permitted to continue only after spray-painting over their ‘Manipur State Transport’ signage.
Previous Incidents and the Larger Context
This is not the first time MST services have faced opposition. On March 8, MST had resumed operations following directives from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, ensuring free movement throughout Manipur. However, in Kangpokpi district, Kuki-Zo demonstrators attacked buses, demanding a suspension of MST services in their areas. Their protest is rooted in the demand for a separate administration, specifically the creation of a Union Territory.