Kuldiep, CS, COCOMI hold joint meeting
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 18 2023:
n view of the prevail-ing security and crisis situa-tion in the state and efforts to bring about a solution to the same, a joint meeting of Ma-nipur security advisor Kuldiep Singh, chief secretary Vineet Joshi, five-member delegation of Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) and other government officials was convened at the Old Sec-retariat from 12 noon to 1.30 pm on Thursday.
Speaking in this regard in a press meet held at COCOMI's office in UripokYambem Leikai later in the day, COCOMI as-sistant media co-ordinator Khuraijam Athouba conveyed that the security advisor gave a briefing about the actions taken up till date including es-corting 105 transport vehicles stranded along the national highway and urged COCOMI for co-operation.
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In response, COCOMI had stated that it was not taking side or in favour of any com-munity amid the violence but is merely taking up the role of mediation.
The Committee's idea is to restore harmony and promote cooperation among all communities, he added.
At present, no violent inci-dents have been reported in Imphal and other valley areas since May 10 and the chanc-es of returning to normal life quite high.
However, to restore peace and normalcy in the hills and other areas, strict securi-ty measures need to be taken up especially to stop armed militants who have harassing innocent civilians in foothill villages thereby sowing dis-cord between the Kuki and Meitei communities residing side-by-side.
COCOMI, thus, assured the security advisor of all possible help in this regard, Athouba further conveyed.
Although the crisis initially took the face of communal tension, it has now crossed over to Kuki militants attacking civilians.
As such, COCOMI stressed the need to review the ground rules of So0 and ensure effective implementation of the same, so that strict legal action could be taken up against the violators.
In addition, the separate admin-istration demand by the 10 Kuki legislators was previously objected by the people of the state.
The renewed demand to the union home minister is only fuelling the anger of the masses, Athouba said and thus, COCOMI made it clear to the security advisor that the demand should not considered in any way whatsoever.