Manipur Unrest: Students March to Raj Bhavan, Demand DGP and Security Advisor Removal

Imphal: Amid escalating violence and drone attacks in Manipur , thousands of students marched to Raj Bhavan in Imphal, demanding the removal of the Director General of Police (DGP) and the security advisor. The students were protesting the state’s deteriorating security situation, decrying drone bombings and missile strikes by extremist groups, which have already caused two deaths and over 10 injuries.

The protest, primarily led by school and college students, took place in front of both the Manipur Chief Minister’s Secretariat and Raj Bhavan. Their demands included the protection of Manipur's "territorial and administrative integrity" and immediate action against those responsible for the violence. Slogans such as "Long Live Manipur," "Resign all incompetent MLAs," and "Give Unified Command to State Government" reflected the growing frustration with the authorities' response to the crisis.

The protests came a day after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, along with 18 MLAs, met Governor L. Acharya to discuss the ongoing violence. In response to rising threats, security forces have deployed anti-drone systems in the state’s fringe areas, with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) bringing in additional anti-drone guns to bolster security measures. 

"The AR has deployed several anti-drone systems in the state's fringe areas to repel any rogue drones. The CRPF has also tested one anti-drone system and provided it to the forces deployed in the state. More anti-drone guns are being brought to the state by the CRPF shortly," Manipur Police said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), led by Khuraijam Athouba, declared an indefinite public emergency, citing increased Kuki aggression in the region. This follows a recent gunfight in Manipur's Jiribam district, where five people were killed and several others injured, with the possibility of casualties rising.

In another violent episode last week, suspected militants launched rocket attacks on the residence of Manipur ’s first chief minister, Mairembam Koireng, killing one person and injuring six others. Security forces have since destroyed three bunkers in Churachandpur district, with military helicopters conducting aerial patrols to monitor the situation.

Chief Minister Biren Singh has made repeated appeals to the Centre to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur and to reject the demand for a separate administration by Kuki-Zo groups. Singh’s appeals were formally submitted to Governor Acharya in a memorandum, where he also called for the revocation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, which was signed between the Centre, the Manipur government, and Kuki militant outfits in 2008 and has been periodically extended.

As protests continued, student representatives who met with Governor Acharya placed six key demands, including the dismissal of the DGP and the state’s Security Advisor. They also called for control of the Unified Command, currently chaired by former CRPF DG Kuldiep Singh, to be handed over to the state government. The Unified Command oversees security operations involving various agencies in the state.

College student M. Sanathoi Chanu, who participated in the protests, said, "We want to study freely without disruptions. We urged the CM to end the conflict as soon as possible."

Meanwhille, in other parts of the state, the unrest persisted. Students in Thoubal district rallied in uniform, demanding the preservation of Manipur ’s territorial and administrative integrity, while locals in Kakching district held a mass rally protesting recent civilian killings by suspected Kuki militants. They called for the abrogation of the SoO agreement and urged the state government to take stronger action to curb the violence against civilians.