Time to identify irresponsible leaders: COCOMI
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 19 2023: Maintaining that security forces should take up stringent measures to maintain law and order in the state particularly in Moreh town, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has stressed the need on the part of the public to identify officials and leaders opposing such measures and teach them a lesson.

Addressing media persons at its Lamphelpat office, here, on Thursday, COCOMI coordinator Jeetendra Ningomba said that the crisis engulfing the state since May 3 last is still going on uninterrupted.

For the last many months, the state forces have been unable to enter specific areas in the state particularly Moreh, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi and control the situation there which is very unfortunate.

The people of the state are not satisfied with the manner in which the state force is made to lie low at the moment, which is akin to absence of government or law in Manipur, he said.

Further stating that Moreh is a strategic and important location, the coordinator regretted that some individuals, groups and community are intentionally blocking entry of state forces.

Such acts should not be committed by a citizen of the country.

It is also worth asking as to why the government of India and the state government, which have declared that the state is currently facing a war, are remaining silent when certain groups and individuals are blocking entry of security forces in Moren contrary to using excessive forces on agitators in Imphal valley who are agitating for a genuine cause by using rubber bullets, smoke bombs, tear gas and even pellet guns.

Jeetendra also expressed regret that the state forces have been obstructed from entering Moreh town when the Meitei houses were being burnt down.

The state forces were unable to enter Moreh as no order was received from the higher authorities to break the blockade and restore peace in Moreh.

Therefore, the state government should ensure that such unwanted things are solved at the earliest.

He also stated that the state forces in Moreh are not given the order to take up any action or speak a word against the perpetrators.

The state forces need to take up all measures to maintain law and order in Moreh and if any higher officer or authority or leader stands up against such acts of the security personnel, it is time for the public to identify those high officials and leaders and teach them a lesson, he reiterated.

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