Imposition of PR betrayal of democratic principles: COCOMI
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 14 2025: Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has strongly condemned the imposition of the President's Rule (PR) in the state, calling it a deliberate ploy by the Government of India to push the state further into turmoil.

Addressing a press conference at its Lamphelpat office on Friday, COCOMI coordinator Khuraijam Athouba stated that the sudden and unreasonable imposition of President's Rule despite the BJP enjoying an absolute majority in the state raises Serious questions about the central government's true intentions.

Imposition of PR betrayal of democratic principles: COCOMI

"The forced resignation of the chief minister in the dead of night, just before a crucial state assembly session, without any proper explanation to the people, is an outright betrayal of democratic principles, Athouba asserted, questioning whether the decision was truly made for the welfare of the people or if it was a calculated move to deepen the crisis in Manipur.

He further expressed shock that such a drastic decision was made without an alternative leader in place, leaving the state without a clear governance structure.

Athouba accused the central government of shifting the blame onto the alleged incompetency of its own BJP MLAs rather than addressing the real issues at hand.

He claimed that this power manoeuvre indicates a sinister agenda to place Manipur, particularly the Meetei community, under direct military control.

"This decision conveniently aligns with the longstanding demands of Kuki militants and separatist groups who have been advocating for the imposition of AFSPA and President's Rule in Manipur," he stated.

He also criticised the BJP legislators in Manipur, blaming them for their failure to propose an alternative leader despite commanding a majority.

"Their inaction has created an opportunity for the central leadership to interfere and impose President's Rule under the guise of a leadership crisis," he said.

He alleged that the legislators never entered politics for the welfare of the people but for personal gains, and their selfish ambition had "effectively auctioned the people of Manipur to external forces for the sake of power".

According to Athouba, the imposition of President's Rule is undemocratic and goes against the very fabric of the Indian democratic system.

He stressed that the people of Manipur must remain vigilant against any attempt to subjugate them under military rule.

"This crisis is not just about leadership, it is about the future of Manipur and the survival of its democratic rights," he warned.

COCOMI then demanded an immediate and time-bound process to elect a new leader and restore a popular government at the earliest.

Athouba made it clear that failure to do so would make every BJP MLA and leader in the state directly accountable to the people for their political irresponsibility and betrayal.

"The people must rise against this injustice and demand the immediate restoration of a legitimate government," he contended.