Yet another 'alert rally' staged under COCOMI
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 28 2019: Imas/womenfolk of Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) took out a public alert rally today afternoon, reasserting that the State's integrity is non-negotiable under any circumstances, apart from submitting a memorandum to the Governor and the Chief Minister as well.

The public rally began from New Checkon Youth Club complex and proceeded toward Sanjenthong, passing Palace Gate.

A large number of Imphal East police personnel and paramilitary forces were deployed from New Checkon upto Sanjenthong to prevent any kind of unwanted incident.

During the rally, the Imas shouted slogans like 'Integrity of Manipur cannot be compromised', 'We condemn communal policies', '60 MLAs go to Delhi', 'Bring solution and not dissolution' etc.

On reaching Palace Gate area, security personnel blocked the rally and prevented the participants from going any further towards Sanjenthong.

The security forces also put up iron barricades in the middle of the road.

The Imas tried to overpower the security forces and proceed further which led to a minor scuffle.

However, the situation was later brought under control.

Due to the rally, all vehicles coming along the Palace Gate route were diverted by police.

Later, 12 Imas were escorted by a police team and allowed to submit their memorandum to the Chief Minister and Governor respectively.

The memorandum cautioned that any solution to the vexed Naga issue must not be at any cost to the existing sociopolitical, economic and cultural set up of Manipur.

It also cautioned that any solution to the ongoing peace talk between the Government of India and NSCN-IM must not affect the integrity and the administrative set up of the State.

Speaking to media persons, one of the Imas stated that an announcement was made by RN Ravi that a solution of the Naga peace talk will be signed by October 31 and added that the said announcement is totally against the assurance given in 2017 by the Centre that the Government will consult the people and stakeholders of Manipur before bringing any solution of the Naga peace talk.

She further stated that there is a huge apprehension among the people of the State due the silence of the Union Government even though the final solution is just two/three days ahead as per the announcement of RN Ravi.that if the integrity of the State is affected in bringing a final solution, the Imas of the State will not remain silent.

Starting from October 23, the Imas and COCOMI have been organising alert sit in protests and alert rallies in different parts of the State, she added.

On the other hand, the Manipur Peoples' Democratic Front has also come out strongly against any impact to the integrity and administrative set up of Manipur in light of the Naga peace talks.

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