Imphal, May 21 -- The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has announced a 48-hour statewide general strike beginning today midnight, protesting the alleged removal of the word "Manipur" from a state transport bus by personnel of the 4th Mahar Regiment.

The controversial incident occurred on Tuesday when a media team was en route to Ukhrul to cover the ongoing 5th Shirui Lily Festival.

As the team reached the Gwaltabi area along the Imphal-Ukhrul road, Army personnel reportedly stopped the Manipur State Transport (MST) bus.

They allegedly demanded the removal of the state's name, "Manipur," from the vehicle as a condition for passage. Angered by this demand, the media team turned back to Imphal without proceeding furthe...