Thu May 22 16:28:03 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article rewrite of the provided text:

**Summary:**

Normal life in Manipur’s Imphal Valley was disrupted by a 48-hour strike called by the Meitei organization COCOMI. The strike protested the removal of “Manipur State Transport” from a government bus carrying journalists to the Shirui Lily Festival. COCOMI is blaming high-ranking security officials for the incident, accusing them of undermining the state’s identity and appeasing Kuki-Zo extremist groups. The state government has launched an inquiry into the incident. The strike has minimal impact on the Kuki and Naga-dominated hills.

**News Article:**

**Manipur Paralyzed by Strike Over ‘Erased’ State Identity on Government Bus**

**Guwahati, India – May 22, 2025** – A 48-hour general strike brought Imphal Valley, Manipur to a standstill Thursday, crippling daily life as businesses shuttered, roads emptied, and government offices closed. The strike, organized by the influential Meitei group Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), was sparked by an incident in which security forces allegedly ordered the masking of “Manipur State Transport” on a government bus.

The bus was carrying journalists to the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul, a Naga-dominated area approximately 80 km from Imphal. COCOMI views the removal of the state name as a deliberate affront, claiming it undermines Manipur’s identity and pride.

The organization is demanding apologies and resignations from key state security officials, including the Governor, Security Advisor, Chief Secretary, and Director General of Police. COCOMI accuses these officials of prioritizing the interests of “narco-terrorist groups” – a reference to Kuki-Zo extremist groups operating under the Suspension of Operation agreement with the central government.

The Manipur government has responded by launching a two-member inquiry, tasking them to submit a report within 15 days outlining any lapses in security protocol and recommendations to prevent similar incidents.

While the strike effectively paralyzed the Imphal Valley, reports indicate minimal impact on the surrounding Kuki and Naga-inhabited hill regions. Security personnel were deployed in sensitive areas to maintain order and prevent violence. The Shirui Lily Festival, after a two-year hiatus, was recently inaugurated, showcasing the region’s namesake flower.

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