COCOMI demands terrorist tag to armed Kuki groups
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 11 2024: Condemning the ambush laid near Kotlien on the chief minister's advance security convoy en-route to Jiribam on Monday by armed Kuki groups that left two security personnel injured, Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has demanded declaration of all armed Kuki groups as terrorist organisations.

In a release, COCOMI media coordinator Y Surjitkumar Khuman said that the incident underscored the escalating conflict between the state government and Kuki terrorist organisations, exacerbated by the perceived complicity of Indian central security forces.

Despite such a direct assault on the state machinery, the central security forces' passive stance raises grave concerns.

The ongoing conflict, initially mischaracterised as communal violence, is now evidently a targeted aggression against the state government by Kuki terrorist groups.

Since the initial attacks on Meetei civilians in Churachandpur and Torbung Kangvai on May 3, 2023, there has been concerted efforts by Kuki propagandists to frame the violence as a communal issue, Surjitkumar said, while asserting that these acts are strategic moves by Kuki narco-terrorists to destabilise the state.

The central government's neutral stance amidst these attacks has not only, compromised the safety of the state's citizens but also undermined the authority of the state government.

The refusal of central forces to assist the state forces in retaliation or defend against these attacks suggested an implicit support for the Kuki groups by the Indian state against the interest of their own state government, fuelling further violence and instability, he observed.

Called for immediate and decisive action by the government of India to address the crisis, Surjitkumar demanded thorough investigation into alleged protection and collusion of Indian security forces with the Kuki terrorist groups.

The evidence of discrimination against the state government by the central authorities is now glaringly apparent.

By allowing Kuki narco-terrorists to operate with impunity, the central government appeared to be endorsing these groups, further entrenching the conflict in Manipur, the coordinator observed, while adding that the lack of retaliatory action against attacks on the chief minister's convoy highlighted the troubling alliance.

The central government's strategy of evacuating Meitei villages under the guise of protection has instead facilitated the occupation of these areas by Kuki groups.

The demographic reshuffling, purportedly for safety, is a tactical manoeuvre that favours Kuki aggressors and displaces Meitei communities, he pointed out.

Urging the indigenous people of Manipur to recognise the central government's covert policies as a proxy war against the Meetei population, the media coordinator maintained that the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with Kuki groups has legitimised these narco-terrorists, using them as mercenaries in counterinsurgency operations against other insurgent groups in the region.

This strategy, which sacrifices citizens' lives for political gains, constitutes a grave injustice.

Given the central government's betrayal, the people of Manipur no longer feel secure.

Under the current leadership of Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, the hope for a peaceful and prosperous Manipur has dwindled.

COCOMI has lost faith in the Indian government's commitment to protecting the indigenous people and safeguarding the state's integrity, Surjitkumar said.

Urging the people to take charge of their future, he said that it is now imperative for the citizens to prepare for the challenges ahead and fight for their honour and future.

The state must assert its stand against the Kuki terrorist organisations decisively and without delay, failing which, the state no more deserve to represent the land and people whom they cannot secure and protect anymore, the release added.

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