Manipur sacrificial lamb in India's view: Somorendro
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 03 2024: Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) coordinator Somorendro Thokchom has stated that the on going conflict in the state will end once the central government stops using the people of Manipur as a sacrificial lamb for its geopolitics.

On Saturday, Manipur Youth League (MAYOL) organised a felicitation cum certificate distribution function for all those who participated in its Long March' for national Regeneration at Manipur Press Club, here.

The function was attended by MAYOL convenor Asem Prince as guest of honour and Long March for National Regeneration Organising Committee chairman N Chetan as president.

Speaking as chief guest of the function, COCOMI coordinator Somorendro Thokchom advised the union government to stop using Manipur as a geopolitical tool and instead work for putting an end to the current conflict in the state.

Failure to abandon such a policy would only put the people under more duress, he remarked.

The coordinator continued that there are three ways to end the violence.

First, the union government should stop using Manipur as a sacrificial lamb for its geo-political interest.

The union government has been "sympathising" with the Myanmar-based militant groups who are reportedly trying to bring democracy to Burma (now Myanmar), and signing SoO with the foreign militants.

The government is also protecting" Chin narco-terrorists, instead of protecting the people of Manipur who are the true citizens of this country (India).

Thus, the violence will stop the day when the union government sincerely regards the people of Manipur as citizens of India.

Second, if the union government cannot consider the people of Manipur as Indian citizens, it should withdraw the entire 60,000 paramilitary forces from the state.

The conflict will immediately come to end within five days, he said, adding that although it is difficult to ascertain whether the Kukis, who had settled in Manipur before 1951 would ever be able to resettle in the state.

Third, if the original Kukis who had settled in Manipur before 1951 voice their support for implementation of NRC, as demanded by other indigenous communities, and the people of Manipur along with state and central forces are able to identify all the illegal immigrants, the conflict will naturally come to an end, he asserted.

Somorendro then said that the nationalism and patriotic fire in Manipur is at its peak with the people defending the state against illegal immigrants.

As such, MAYOL took out the long march to further brighten the flame, he stated, while urging the people to read the relevant booklet so as to ensure positive changes in the future.

He also urged the people to read the 12-point pamphlet published as part of the march, informing that the pamphlet can be availed from the offices of MAYOL and COCQMI.

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