'Losing political battle amid gunfire not favourable'
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 09 2023:
While stating that it would be futile if we were to lost the political battle amid the gunfire in the state, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) coordinator Jeetendra Ningomba has urged for concerted efforts to ensure victory in all aspects.
The 'International day of the world's indigenous people' was observed by COCOMI Students' Wing under the theme "Indigenous youth as agents of change for self-determination" at the head office of Apunba Imagi Machasing (AIMs), Kwakeithel here on Wednesday.
Speaking on the occasion, Jeetendra Ningomba said that the indigenous conflicts occurred in different places of the country are vastly different from one another.
In Manipur's context, the core issue, although not fitting the state, cannot be termed wrong.
Even now, we are still in disagreement over who is the true indigenous people of Manipur, he remarked.
He then said that if the communities in the state regard themselves as indigenous, they should take up the responsibility of protecting the state, instead of merely carrying on the title but working against the land they claim to be indigenous of.
It is not compulsory that an indigenous person must don Khudei or play the Pena, but everything he/she does with regard to rituals, customs and decorum will show his/her indigenousness.
Jeetendra continued that the current conflict is to save all indigenous communities of the state.
While ITLF claims to be indigenous and attacking the indigenes of the state, they are also claiming that they are a lost tribe of Israel.
Thus, it is questionable whether they are truly indigenous of this state since as per their own claims, they are possibly an indigenous tribe of another country.
The COCOMI coordinator then strongly condemned the false statements made by an MP of Trinamool Congress with regard to the on-going conflict in Manipur, in the parliament on Wednesday.
As per the MP, foreigners with sophisticated weapons conspired with the Meiteis to wage war on Kukis, which is completely opposite to what is happening in Manipur.
"What action should be taken up against this MP for making false statements in the parliament?" he asked.
In Manipur's history, the Seven Years' Devastation and the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 occurred due to disunity.
Even during this present conflict, there are many amongst us who are trying to drag down others.
Thus, it is important for all of us to be united in heart and mind to protect the integrity of Manipur or else everything will be lost, he asserted.
Recounting the formation of COCOMI as an umbrella body of different organisations in the state, Jeetendra questioned the hesitancy on the part of other bodies in joining this apex body.
He then expressed his dismay on seeing the conflict being portray as some kind of an entertainment festival.
In addition to the gunfire, there is also the need to engage in the political battle as well since the other side is waging political war by writing to the UN, USA, European Nation and the PM of Israel for support.
All of these tactics need to be thoroughly analysed and understood, he said.
In his speech, Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) president Leishangthem Lamyanba said that the narco-terrorists from outside are not just attacking the Meiteis, but also every indigenous community of the state.
If the Meitei do not stand up to this, all communities are very much at risk of being completely annihilated, he stated.
The observance was also attended by MHRC ex-chairperson Khaidem Mani; MU Law Department assistant professor Dr Sapam Dilipkumar and environmental activist Wangkheirakpam Ram as presidium members.
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