COCOMI calls PR 'alien administration'
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 30 2025: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has voiced strong support for the restoration of a popular government in the state, calling the President's Rule "an alien administration" that has failed to restore peace or deliver accountability.

In an exclusive interview to The Indian Express, COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba criticised the administration under President's Rule for being disconnected from the state's history and identity.

Referring to the May 20 incident in which security forces forced journalists to cover the word "Manipur" on a state transport bus, Athouba said, "This incident is widely seen as an insult to the identity of the state" .

COCOMI calls PR 'alien administration'

He added, "The top administrators - chief secretary, DGP, and security advisor - must have knowledge of it.

So, we hold them responsible and demand their replacement".

He further questioned the relevance of the ongoing enquiry, arguing that it lacked independence since it was supervised by the chief secretary.

"We could not get any positive response from the government's side.

So, we had to intensify the agitation," he said.

Athouba also criticised Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla for failing to take moral responsibility for the incident, and reiterated COCOMI's demand for an apology and the removal of key state officials.

Commenting on the governance vacuum, he said, "After three months of President's Rule, there are no visible results.

Every attempt to restore peace has failed, and those against peace have not been held liable" .

He said that COCOMI is not in touch with the MLAs who recently met the Governor claiming support to form a new government, but plans to engage them soon.

"The MLAs are on the side of the people.

However, the general feeling is that they are not doing enough," he said.

COCOMI has also told the home ministry that armed groups are silencing sane voices among Kuki civilians.

"We should help these voices emerge.

If the government is able to control the separatists, we will also extend our support to talks for reconciliation and restoration of peace," Athouba said.

Addressing the Centre's concern on arms recovery, Athouba said that most of the 5,000-plus recovered arms were from the valley.

"The hill volunteers and armed groups have openly defied the call of the government...This has created an apprehension in the minds of valley people about whether surrendering arms is the right thing or not.

This is not conducive," he told The Indian Express.