NRC first, then delimitation exercise: COCOMI
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 21 2025: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has strongly opposed any move to conduct the delimitation exercise in Manipur without first implementing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) .

Addressing a press conference at its Lamphelpat office on Friday, COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba made it clear that any attempt to forcefully execute delimitation without addressing the issue of illegal immigration will be firmly opposed by the people.

NRC first, then delimitation exercise: COCOMI

Athouba highlighted that the state is grappling with a serious issue of illegal immigration due to its porous borders and insisted that delimitation should only be carried out after updating the NRC, identifying indigenous people, deporting illegal immigrants, and conducting a true census.

He criticised the government's handling of the ongoing crisis in the state, asserting that it is not a mere ethnic clash but a state-sponsored proxy war against the indigenous Meetei population.

It is becoming clearer day by day that the Centre is not sincere in resolving the crisis.

The union home minister's assurance for free movement has failed, and no action has been taken against Kuki separatist groups who have attacked security convoys and passenger buses, Athouba alleged, accusing the Central government of adopting a double standard in handling the situation.

He also dismissed the notion that the crisis is a clash between the Meetei and Kuki communities, asserting that it cannot be resolved through dialogue between community-based civil society organisations (CSOs).

He stressed that the Centre must undertake a sincere military crackdown on Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists who are openly operating in the hill areas of the state while cautioning that without such decisive action, any effort to resolve the crisis through dialogue would amount to a mere "whitewash" and a deceptive move that would not address the root cause of the conflict.

The convenor also drew attention to the major issue of illegal immigration from Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal since 1950, stating that these illegal immigrants have established new villages and even barred indigenous people from entering certain hill areas.

He alleged that Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists are engaging in large-scale illegal poppy cultivation in the hills, while contending that destroying a few poppy farms as an eyewash would not resolve the issue.

Athouba called for stringent action and strict penalties against those involved in the illicit trade to bring about lasting change.

The COCOMI convenor further accused the Central government of failing to take action against 25 Kuki militant groups operating under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement despite widespread violations of its ground rules.

He asserted that until these matters are addressed, the crisis cannot be resolved.

"Without decisive action, any initiative to resolve the crisis through dialogue is nothing but a whitewash," he concluded.