Imphal Rally Defends Manipur's Territorial Integrity
Imphal Rally Defends Manipur's Territorial Integrity
Thousands rally in Imphal to reaffirm Manipur's territorial and administrative unity as security tightens across the capital.
Thousands of people gathered in Imphal on Saturday, January 31, 2026, to reaffirm Manipur’s territorial and administrative integrity and to reject any moves to divide the state. The rally, called Save Manipur, was organized by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an umbrella body of Meitei civil society organisations. Demonstrators marched roughly 5 km from Tiddim Ground to Thau Ground, raising slogans and displaying placards that emphasized: no compromise to territorial integrity and no division of Manipur. Security was visibly tightened across the capital in the run-up to and during the event.
Speakers and protesters stressed that the state’s unity must be preserved at all costs. Bidyaluxmi Oinam, among the participants, said, “We cannot compromise on this.” Another demonstrator, Khagembam Surjit, added that the land of Manipur was built by forefathers and not by illegal immigrants from Myanmar, underscoring concerns about displacement and demographic change. The rally drew participants from diverse communities, including non-Manipuris, Muslims, Naga groups, and others, highlighting a broad base of support for unity amid continuing tensions.
The gathering comes in the context of a long-running ethnic conflict in Manipur, with violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and hill-based Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023, leaving hundreds dead and thousands displaced. The state has been under President’s Rule since February of the previous year, as authorities seek to restore stability and create a conducive environment for dialogue. Organisers used the march to send a clear message: Manipur’s territorial and administrative integrity must remain intact, and any attempts to reorder the state’s status quo should be resisted. The event also reflected a desire for peaceful political engagement, even as disputes over governance and autonomy persist across communities.
