CCSK observes first democratic government of Manipur
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 18 2023: In line with its resolution to facilitate resettlement of displaced people in their respective villages, COCOMI will take up necessary steps for expeditious return of the ethnic clash affected families from Tangjeng and Napat, said COCOMI coordinator and CCSK president Jeetendra Ningomba.

He was attending the ob servance of 'first democratic government of Manipur' commemorating the installment of the first democratic government of pre-merger Manipur on October 18, 1948, held at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound, here, on Wednesday.

The 18th October, 1948 Observation Committee of the Committee on Civil Societies, Kangleipak (CCSK) organised the commemorative event.

Addressing the gathering, Jeetendra said that on October 18 in 1948, the first session of Manipur State Assembly which was formed after establishment of a democratic government through universal adult franchise, was held.

At that time, those elected public representatives from different communities including Kuki, Naga, Kabui, Meitei Pangal and Meetei adopted resolution to uphold the territorial integrity of Manipur.

Unfortunately, some politicians of today along with illegal immigrants and refugees from other countries are trying to disintegrate the state.

Tribal politicians of those times committed themselves to the cause of ensuring unity and integrity among the different communities but today, some groups of people, who entered the state lately, are making every effort to disintegrate Manipur and it is up to the people of the state to neutralise such strategies, he said.

Jeetendra strongly decried the creation of buffer zone, which is more like a demarcation between hills and valley, and said that COCOMI raised strong objection against the policy during meetings with central leaders.

During one such meeting, interlocutor AK Mishra told COCOMI that the term buffer zone is not right and the right term should be conflict zone.

Unfortunately, the wrong term is being used, he said.

COCOMI, however, argued that creation of such zones has somehow created a demarcation within the state, he said and added that there is a strong need to remove such zones through public voice.

Regarding the public voice for uniting different organisations, he said that a closed door meeting of 33 different CSOs, which have been playing major role in spearheading the public movement, was held on October 6.COCOMI elaborated its past and present efforts and future plans in the meeting, wherein representatives of other organisations also presented their views and the meeting took some common resolutions.

On October 16, the resolutions were conveyed to intellectuals and editors of local media houses, who appreciated the resolutions.

Consequently, COCOMI believes that CSOs will no longer take individual decision from now on and any public decision will be taken collectively, he said.

As per the future plans of COCOMI, the organisation does not recognise any buffer zone and will show that people of the state are against implementation of different laws within the state.

There is no certainty on when will the crisis end and as such, COCOMI along with different CSOs will take up necessary measures to resettle and rehabilitate the displaced families in their respective villages.

Due to the public movement in Phougakchao Ikhai, residents of the village have returned to their homes today.

However, they are still living in uncertainty.

Yet, entering their homes is indeed a step towards rehabilitation and resettlement.

In the next step, COCOMI along with the public will facilitate resettlement and rehabilitation of the displaced families of Tangjeng and Napat villages, he added.

Likewise, different organisations and Meira Paibi Lups of Khundrakpam assembly constituency had adopted a resolution to rehabilitate the displaced families of Ikou, Dolaithabi and Mairenpat among others to their respective homes.

Similar decisions have been taken for Leimakhong Chingmang and Prem Nagar as well, the CCSK president said, while expressing belief that the public will provide full support to the movement.

He urged the people to bear the hardships today for a better future for the coming generations.

Today's hardships and endurance will not only ensure a better tomorrow but also help in upholding the territorial integrity and identity of Manipur.

Unless the right lesson is taught to those trying to disintegrate the state, a more sinister plan and a larger scale of violence may occur in the future.

At the same time, people should refrain from taking decisions led by emotions and sentiments in this critical crossroad, he said.

Meetei community never anticipated the present crisis and it was not prepared for such an unprecedented situation.

However, the Kuki militants have been planning for this moment since before the 1980s.Meetei community should give up the mob culture and act accordingly while understanding the ethics.

There are universal code of conducts for any war or conflict and the community needs to uphold those mandates.

Using wrongful means will only lead to unwanted repercussion and COCOMI is fighting the situation from different angles, he said, while calling for continued public support.

Manipur University retired assistant registrar Oinam Kullabidhu attended the observance function as chief guest while CCSK consultant Dr Ashangbam Jiten was present as guest of honour.

Representatives of different CSOs also spoke on the occasion.

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