COCOMI to test commitment of pol parties
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 15 2022:
Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has said that it will start meeting leaders of political parties to discuss its demand from the Government of India for granting special status/political autonomy to Manipur.
COCOMI co-ordinator Longjam Ratankumar told media persons at UCM office, Lamphelpat on Tuesday that it has been demanding political autonomy for Manipur from the centre as per the resolution arrived at during a public convention held on December 26, 2020.Accordingly, a memorandum containing the demand was submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 19.Apart from the government of Manipur, political parties have immense responsibility towards ensuring fulfilment of the demand by the Union government and the same demand must be in the minds of candidates who are contesting election, he said, adding that the organisation has decided to meet leaders of political parties to make them aware about the demand.
He also said that political parties will be urged to include the demand being raised as per people's wish as their political agenda.
According to Ratankumar, Manipur has its own political history and existed as an independent nation under successive kings.
After remaining as a colony of the British since 1891, Manipur regained independence in 1947 but joined Indian Union in 1949 and then gained statehood in 1972 .
Having its own unique political history, it is feasible to demand political autonomy for Manipur, he said and expressed hope that political parties and candidates would support the demand.
According to Longjam Ratankumar, Manipur government and political parties in the state have immense responsibility in ensuring realisation of the demand.