COCOMI to talk with MHA on May 27
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 25 2025:
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) is all set to hold talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs at New Delhi on the Manipur crisis on May 27, 2025 .
Speaking to media persons at their Lamphelpat office today, COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba said that a seven-member delegation of COCOMI would leave Imphal for New Delhi tomorrow.
He said that the talks would focus on the resolutions adopted at the Manipur People's Convention held on May 3, 2025 at Khuman Lampak.
Although the talks scheduled on May 27 was initially convened to push forward the pending political and security processes regarding the protracted Manipur crisis, the agenda has now been expanded in light of the recent Gwaltabi incident where a Manipur State Transport (MST) bus carrying journalists to Shirui, Ukhrul for the opening ceremony of Shirui Lily Festival 2025 was stopped by troops of Mahar Regiment at Gwaltabi on May 20 and the bus was forced to cover up its signage "Manipur State Transport".
As the particular incident insulted and challenged the collective identity of Manipur, it sparked widespread unrest.
The incident has been further aggravated by the continued inaction of the Governor and the State administrators under the current President's Rule.
A public apology from the Governor for the insult to the people of Manipur and the resignation or immediate transfer of the Chief Secretary, the DGP and the Security Advisor, all of whom are viewed as incompetent and responsible for making anti-State decision which has aggravated the deteriorating situation would also figure prominently at the talks, Athouba said.
The people's democratic agitation, unwarranted use of mock bombs and tear gas shells on non-violent protesters during the peace protest today which resulted in injuries to several women protesters would be another key agenda of the meeting, he said.
As intimated by COCOMI earlier that the MHA should first talk with COCOMI on the resolutions adopted at the people's convention held on May 3, 2025 before holding talks with any other stakeholder, the two sides have agreed to hold talks on May 27, he said.
Since the past couple of days, COCOMI and MHA have been communicating with each other regarding the proposed talks.
Letters were also exchanged and the two have agreed to talk on the protracted Manipur crisis on May 27, Athouba said.
The seven COCOMI delegates who would hold talks with MHA officials are Khuraijam Athouba (convenor), Yengkokpam Dhiren Meetei, L Jadumani Singh, Thiyam Bharat Singh, Laikhuram Jayenta Singh, Phijam Shyamchand Singh and Yumkhaibam Surjitkumar.
Even after the functionaries of COCOMI leave for Delhi for the talks, its core committee members, executive committee members, women's wing members, farmers' wing members and students' wing members will carry on the protest movement against the Gwaltabi outrage together with the masses, he said.
Asserting that the MST bus was forced to conceal its signage "Manipur State Transport" at the order of the Governor, Ajay Kumar Bhalla must tender an apology to the people of Manipur.
Even as a large number of people were taking out a protest march peacefully holding placards which demanded resignation of the Chief Secretary, the DGP and the Security Advisor, security forces obstructed the march resulting in a face off.
The security forces even fired several rounds of mock bombs and tear gas shells upon the peaceful protesters, resulting in injuries to many women protesters.
COCOMI vehemently condemned the excessive use of force upon the peaceful protesters, Athouba said.
He said that such hostile actions by security forces must be reviewed and put to an end immediately.
If the security forces continue with their hostile actions, the people will get infuriated and it will aggravate the situation, he warned.
The COCOMI convenor called upon all the people to carry on with different modes of non-violent and democratic agitation.
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