COCOMI declares public emergency, issues ultimatum
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 07 2024: Citing rapidly escalating violence orchestrated by armed Chin-Kuki narco-terrorist groups as the reason, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has declared a state of public emergency across the state.

COCOMI has accused the Central security forces, particularly the Assam Rifles, of complicity in shielding these militants and allowing continued assaults on civilians.

This declaration came in the wake of recent drone and missile attacks leading to multiple civilian casualties, leaving the indigenous Meetei population in a state of fear and vulnerability following months of unchecked violence.

In a strong worded statement, COCOMI issued an ultimatum to the central security forces, demanding immediate and decisive action to address the ongoing crisis within five days.

Failure to act, the committee warned, would result in drastic steps to be taken by the people of Manipur to protect themselves, including expulsion of central forces from the state.

The group has made it clear that the people of Manipur have lost trust in the central forces' ability to handle the security crisis, and they are prepared to take matters into their own hands if no visible progress is made.

Since the violence erupted on May 3, 2023, the situation in Manipur has steadily deteriorated, COCOMI pointed out, while claiming that the Central government 's approach, along with the actions of the central security forces, has exacerbated the situation by aiding and abetting the Kuki militants, who continue to attack indigenous communities.

The most recent attacks, which included aerial bombardments and drone strikes, have left a trail of devastation across the state.

On September 1, Kuki militants launched an unprecedented drone assault in Koutruk areas of Imphal West, killing a young mother and injuring ten civilians.

In the following days, over 50 bombs were dropped in Senjam Chirang, also in Imphal West, injuring civilians and domestic animals.

COCOMI has described these attacks as a grave threat not only to the local population but to civil aviation as well, as the use of drones by militant groups defies all established security barriers.

According to COCOMI, these attacks were launched from camps located near positions held by the Assam Rifles, yet there was no intervention from the central paramilitary force.

This has led to widespread anger and frustration among the people of Manipur, who have questioned the role of 60,000 Indian armed forces stationed in the state, asking, "Where have they been, and what are they doing during these 15 months of violence?" The violence continued to escalate on September 5, when missile strikes targeted Tron-glaobi and Moirang areas in Bishnupur district.

The missiles were fired from a distance of 7 kilometres, and although the launch sites were visible and remnants of the projectiles were recovered, no action was taken by the central forces.

This has further deepened the distrust between the people of Manipur and the Central government, which has remained passive in its response, the statement said.

COCOMI has condemned the Central government's inaction, accusing it of equipping forces with anti-drone weapons for show, while failing to protect civilians from the heavily armed Kuki narco-terrorists.

This perceived neglect has fuelled growing frustration among the indigenous Meetei population, who now feel abandoned by both the state and Central authorities, it continued.

In response to these events, COCOMI has officially declared a public emergency in Manipur, effective immediately from September 6.In their statement, they urged the people to take utmost caution for protecting themselves and be prepared for any eventualities.

COCOMI also issued an ultimatum to the central armed forces, giving them three additional days to take visible action against the Kuki militants.

If no concrete steps are taken within this timeframe, the central forces will be expected to leave Manipur or confine themselves to their camps.

The mere presence of central forces without decisive action is now seen as a direct threat to public safety, according to COCOMI, COCOMI has also called upon local communities, including Meira Paibis and local clubs, to resist any movement of central armed forces within civilian areas and border zones if no progress is made.

The indigenous youth forces, including village Volunteers, student volunteers, and local club volunteers, have been urged to remain vigilant and alert to any violations or aggressions during the emergency period.

Additionally, COCOMI has appealed to the state security forces to protect the citizens of Manipur and to join the people's movement if central forces obstruct their duties.

They emphasised that the time for passive resistance has passed, and that swift and decisive action is now necessary to protect the indigenous Meetei people from the ongoing violence.

In a strong condemnation of the ongoing ethnic violence, COCOMI accused the Central government of forming a military alliance with the Kuki militants, effectively fuelling the crisis.

The organisation reiterated that the indigenous people of Manipur are facing a coordinated proxy war by the Government of India and its military allies, and called for immediate intervention to prevent the situation from spiralling further out of control.

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