According to the press bodies, the Governor of Manipur had earlier assured a fair and impartial inquiry into the incident, which resulted in the formation of a two-member Inquiry Committee. The committee submitted its report on June 13, 2025. The Government of Manipur has since conveyed to AMWJU and EGM that it has accepted the recommendations made by the committee and directed concerned departments and security agencies to implement necessary measures to ensure that similar incidents are not repeated.
While announcing the end of their agitation, AMWJU and EGM expressed cautious optimism, stressing that the dignity and safety of journalists and media personnel are paramount. They welcomed the steps taken so far but also issued a word of caution, making it clear that if the recommendations of the inquiry are not fully implemented, they would be compelled to resume democratic forms of protest. The organizations extended gratitude to fellow journalists, civil society groups, and the people of Manipur for standing by them in their demand for accountability and press freedom.
The controversy dates back to May 20, 2025, when journalists travelling in a Manipur State Road Transport (MST) bus to cover the annual Shirui Festival at Ukhrul were reportedly stopped at Gwaltabi in Imphal East by personnel of the Mahar Regiment. The name “Manipur,” inscribed on the bus windshield, was allegedly covered with a white sheet of paper before the bus was allowed to proceed, sparking outrage among journalists and the wider public. The move was widely perceived as an affront to state identity and triggered days of protests in the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley.
Reacting to the uproar, Manipur Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh, accompanied by Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, addressed a press conference on May 29, 2025. He assured that the state government viewed the incident with utmost seriousness and that there had been “no instructions whatsoever or even a remote thought of covering the name of the state.” He emphasized that what had transpired at Gwaltabi would be fully clarified only after a proper inquiry.
Expressing regret over the episode, the Chief Secretary underlined the administration’s commitment to the integrity of Manipur and said that the only aim of the inquiry was to establish facts and ensure lasting peace in the state. He further assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible, if lapses were identified, and that measures were already being put in place to avoid recurrence of such incidents.
The press conference also highlighted the success of the Shirui Festival, which drew an estimated 1.70 lakh visitors from across Manipur, other states, and abroad, reflecting the inclusive spirit of the event. Nonetheless, the Gwaltabi controversy overshadowed much of the positive narrative, with media organizations condemning the incident as a violation of democratic principles.
The latest assurance from the government, coupled with the acceptance of the Inquiry Committee’s recommendations, has prompted AMWJU and EGM to suspend their agitation. However, both organizations reiterated that their watch over the government’s actions will continue, reminding authorities that their commitment to press freedom and journalist safety remains unwavering.
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