Will resume stir if talk with Govt fails: COCOMI
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 30 2023:
Reacting to public comments on its earlier ultimatum to the government to facilitate the return and resettlement of displaced people in their respective homestead lands with a deadline of August 30, COCOMI media coordinator Somorendro Thokchom said that they are taking some time to talk with the government but will resume its planned movement if there is no positive feedback from the government.
Addressing a press meet at its office premises here on Wednesday, Somorendro said that the chief secretary and the security advisor reached out to COCOMI following its ultimatum expressing their view that resettlement of the displaced people will need further deliberation.
However, COCOMI will meet the key government officials and carry out the planned movement if there is no positive response in a couple of days, he said.
Recalling its earlier ultimatum, he said that COCOMI demanded the government to shift the bunkers of Indian Army in Phougakchao Ikhai beyond Torbung by August 30 failing which COCOMI along with the public will remove those bunkers to allow resettlement of displaced people.
The same ultimatum was forwarded to the Centre, following which the chief secretary and the security advisor intimated COCOMI for further deliberation on the matter.
Besides, COCOMI had talked with SP Bishnupur, SP Churachandpur and CO of Kumaon Regiment posted in the area on Tuesday in the presence of locals of Phougakchao, Torbung, Nambol, Moirang and Bishnupur.
The CO of Kumaon Regiment assured to look into the demand stating that the area is in a sensitive zone.
They, however, said that the army bunkers are set up inside Meetei villages, which threaten the lives of the Meetei people beyond their bunkers, and reiterated their demand to shift the bunkers beyond Torbung.
They will meet the chief secretary on Wednesday evening to sort out the matter, he informed.
COCOMI coordinator Jeetendra Ningomba said that a 13-member team of COCOMI met with union home minister Amit Shah in Delhi following a verbal invitation by BJP Manipur in-charge Sambit Patra during which COCOMI reiterated the demand for upholding the territory of Manipur along with an eight-point demand which also include immediate measures to stop further armed attacks, facilitate resettlement of displaced people, free passage on NH, remove security forces from educational institutes, NRC update, destruction of illegal poppy plants before harvesting season and effective steps to prevent poppy plantations in the future as well.
During the meeting, COCOMI also raised concern over conduct of Assam Rifles and demanded the home minister to replace Assam Rifles by another force, and to abrogate the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with Kuki militants.
After examining the demands, Amit Shah urged COCOMI to take a pivotal role in initiating talks to restore peace and normalcy in the state.
However, COCOMI did not give any commitment on that appeal since the violence is still continuing with persistent attack on Meetei villagers.
In such a situation, it would be impossible for anybody to represent the people and COCOMI has no such intention.
However, COCOMI will welcome any move from the opposite side if they stop the armed attack and apologise for their wrongdoings.
As of now, there is no ground for holding talks, he said.
Regarding the demand for updating NRC, Amit Shah said that illegal immigration is not confined to Manipur only but it is national issue and as such, the government will take up measures to update NRC at the earliest.
He also informed about biometric and retina scanning of refugees from Myanmar in Manipur and Mizoram with a deadline of September last, Jeetendra added.