COCOMI doubts centre's sincerity post CoTU defiance
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 05 2025: Expressing deep concern over the open defiance by Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) against Centre's move to restore peace and normalcy in the state, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) expressed doubt over sincerity and commitment of Union government in tackling elements inimical to peace and integrity of Manipur.

Addressing media persons at its Lamphelpat office on Wednesday, COCOMI coordinator Khuraijam Athouba recounted that the Union government recently convened a security review meeting and announced some steps to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur after 22 months of violence.

Among the steps announced by the Union home minister Amit Shah included free movement of public along the national highways from March 8, stringent action against those obstructing movement and to intensify anti-drug drive.

However, Kangpokpi based self-styled Kuki civil society group called CoTU openly challenged the Centre's decision.

CoTU also declared that its decision will not change realisation of the separate administration goal and vowed to prevent movement of Meeteis along national highways of the state.

In short, CoTU's declaration means that they will continue with the war, prevent movement of Meeteis and disrupt peace initiatives, Athouba said, adding that CoTU is preparing to attack the Meeteis anytime, anywhere.

In the efforts to bring back peace and normalcy in the state, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla initially set one week timeframe for returning looted or illegally held weapons and extended the same for another week.

In honour of the Governor's appeal and trusting the Union government's peace initiatives, weapons possessed by village volunteers in the valley had already been returned and there is report of handing over more than 4010 weapons.

However, there is no information pertaining to unaccounted weapons brought in Kuki dominated areas from Myanmar, Mizoram and other sides.

This has created a situation of complete disarmament in the valley and concealment of weapons in Kuki areas, Athouba said.

According to Athouba, youth of the valley were compelled to take up arms to defend their villages after security forces and administration failed to protect their lives and properties and COCOMI stands by this fact.

Even after village volunteers of the valley have returned the weapons, there is no visible action either from the Governor or from the Union government to protect lives and properties, Athouba said and asked whether the Governor and Union government would shoulder the responsibility when any attack happens and valley people suffer again.

Athouba continued that Union government should be responsible for the ongoing war in Manipur as all the 25 Kuki underground groups under Suspension of Operation (SoO) are in the forefront of attacking Meetei villages.

COCOMI remains concerned over recovery of weapons from the valley while leaving SoO cadres to roam around freely with arms without any recovery deepening suspicion about the Union government's tacit understanding with the Kuki militants.

This policy of the Union government prompted many among the valley people to raise the question if opportunity is being given for a large-scale attack on the Meetei villages and whether the decision to return of arms in the valley was wrong.

To clear such doubt and fear among the people, Union government must be sincere in taking up peace initiatives, Athouba said.

Regarding CoTU's allegations against COCOMI, Athouba asserted that COCOMI has never taken part in elections and will not do so in future as well.

He maintained that none of the CSOs in the valley join elections or participate in election campaigns unlike CSOs of Chin, Kuki, Zo and Hmar communities.

Additionally, COCOMI never declared war against Kuki-Zo communities but will never tolerate activities of Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists, Athouba asserted.

Regarding peace march being planned by FOCS from March 8 including in red zone areas, Athouba said COCOMI considers FOCS's declaration hasty and it would be better to wait and watch steps taken by the Union government.

He appealed to FOCS and its allied organisations planning the peace march to review their decision.

Comment