COCOMI launches non-cooperation movement
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 07 2019: The Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has decided to cut off all communications with the State Government and also to stay away from all Government activities.

Speaking to media persons at the Konung Lampak office of HERICOUN this evening, COCOMI coordinator Sunil Karam said that they have been compelled to launch the non-cooperation movement as the State Government has failed to ascertain the terms of agreement reached between the Government of India, NSCN-IM and NNPGs on October 31 in addition to paying no heed to the repeated appeals to convene a special session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly so as to reaffirm the State's resolve to protect its integrity at all costs.

COCOMI launches non-cooperation movement

COCOMI would boycott the Manipur Sangai Festival 2019 .

As for the MANITEX 2019, it has been already made clear that the expo should be postponed, Sunil said.

He said that people's protest movements demanding disclosure of the terms of agreement reached between the Centre and NSCN-IM on October 31 and protection of the State's integrity and administrative set up would go on unabated.

In addition to the ongoing alert sit-in-protest, people may block one-half of roads at their respective localities, take out rallies and raise slogans from tomorrow, said the COCOMI coordinator.

Given the tense situation prevailing in the State, COCOMI urged the State Government to convene a special session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

If maximum pressure is exerted on the Central Government backed by a strong resolution of the State Assembly, the Government of India would certainly listen to the voice of the people of Manipur, he said.

However, the State Government has showed signs of its unwillingness to call any special session of the State Assembly, Sunil decried.

As such, people may gherao residences and official quarters of their respective MLAs from tomorrow and urge them to convene a special session of the State Assembly, he said.

It is a matter of grave concern that one organisation namely, Naga People's Union, Imphal wrote to the Central Government seeking protection of 98 tribal villages located in the valley by Central security forces, he remarked.

The particular letter attempts to project valley dwellers, particularly Meiteis as highly communal and it is also a direct attempt to divert the COCOMI's movement from its rightful path, Sunil lamented.

When 18 people laid down their lives amidst massive civil protest movements for the cause of Manipur's integrity on June 18, 2001, not a single hill man was attacked and no one used any offensive language against them.

Even if the Naga People's Union, Imphal felt it necessary to lodge such a petition, there is the State Government.

Moreover, COCOMI has been working hard to avoid any type untoward incident, Sunil pointed out.

COCOMI assistant coordinator Jeetendra Ningomba appealed to all the people including intellectuals, senior citizens and activists to share suggestions and ideas so that the ongoing movements can be carried out in a more effective and inclusive manner.

He also appealed to all the protesters not to do or say anything which may offend any community.