COCOMI demands terrorists tag on SoO groups
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 03 2024: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) organised the "365 Days of Chin-Kuki Narco-Terrorist Aggression in Manipur" observance at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen in Palace Compound, here, and reiterated their demand to declare Kuki militant groups bound by Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement as terrorist organisations.

During the observance function, COCOMI called upon the government of India to accord priority in tackling the illegal immigration, conducting National Register of Citizens (NRC), and taking decisive action to resolve the crisis plaguing Manipur.

In his address, COCOMI coordinator Somorendro Thokchom lamented failure by the government authorities to contain the violence perpetrated by Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists even after one year and criticised both central and state governments for remaining indifferent to the plight of the people, regardless of conceding that the unrest situation is due to external aggression, and civilians are killed and forcefully displaced.

He accused the government of using Manipuri people as pawns to achieve geopolitical goals and prioritising geopolitics over the lives and welfare of the citizens.

Somorendro urged intellectuals, politicians, and the public to unite and take a stand against such policies, while cautioning that Manipur's existence could be at stake if action is not taken promptly.

He also called upon all communities to join hands and fight against policies that suppress the people.

Presidium members including Turner Raihing, president of TANFO & NPOKD, and Islam Makakcha, advisor of the United Meitei Pangal Committee Manipur, attended the event.

Leaders of various civil society organisations (CSOs) and intellectuals also addressed the gathering and highlighted the need for solidarity and collective action to address the crisis gripping Manipur.

Later, the observance function adopted several demands including prioritisation of illegal immigrant issues, recognition of narco-terrorism as pressing issue, declaration of Kuki militant groups as terrorist organisations and selective treatment among terrorist organisations.

COCOMI demanded the immediate prioritisation of issues surrounding uncontrolled illegal immigration by calling for the updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

The aim is to effectively address the crisis and restore stability to the region.

It also urged the government of India to acknowledge and recognise the issue of narco-terrorism and its severe ramifications on the age-old ethnic harmony, economy, and ecology currently faced by the indigenous people of Manipur.

COCOMI also emphasised the need for concerted efforts to combat the menace and reaffirmed its demand to the government of India to immediately declare all armed groups under SoO agreement as terrorist organisations aligning with the decision taken by the government of Manipur, to address the escalating violence in the state.

It further called upon the government of India to cease the practice of categorising terrorist groups as "Good Terrorists" and "Bad Terrorists" to serve its vested geopolitical and internal security interests.

COCOMI emphasised that such actions victimise the indigenous civilian population of Manipur and perpetuate instability.

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