COCOMI launches mass stir, announces boycott of Governor
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 24 2025:
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) announced the launch of a statewide mass agitation starting Sunday, following what it described as the failure of the Governor to apologise within the 48-hour deadline set over the controversial restriction on the use of the name "Manipur" on MST buses heading to Ukhrul for the Shirui Lily Festival on May 20 .
Addressing a press meet at its office premises, COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba informed that the people of the state have now entered a "decisive phase of statewide mass agitation" in response to the "deep insult to the state's identity" .
He condemned the refusal of the Governor and the President's Rule (PR) administration to acknowledge or apologise for the restriction, stating that it "confirms their disconnect from the ground reality and their disdain for the sentiments of the people" .
COCOMI announced a public boycott of the Governor, stating that he would no longer be welcomed or engaged on any public, civil, or cultural platform.
He further appealed to the public and organisations not to invite, attend, or organise any function involving his participation until a public apology is made.
As part of the agitation, he said, mass protests, rallies, torch processions, and sit-ins will be organised, urging the people to express their collective resistance through democratic and non-violent means.
A civil disobedience campaign will also begin against the PR administration, he said and urged the public to cease all cooperation with central government offices whose decisions, have "repeatedly undermined the state's dignity" .
He, however, added that educational institutions, sports, health, banks, postal services, and essential services will be exempted from this call for non-cooperation.
He also demanded immediate resignation of the security advisor, the DGP, and the chief secretary, holding them responsible for "consistently failing the people of Manipur", and accused them of enabling and evading responsibility for the disgraceful actions.
The agitation will be intensified with mass demonstrations at strategic locations including Raj Bhavan, central government offices, district headquarters, and PR offices.
He called for active participation from communities, students, women's groups, and civil society organisations in organising cultural expressions of Manipuri identity.
He also proposed door-to-door and loudspeaker campaigns to build momentum and push forward the collective demands.
COCOMI, in a statement, also laid out four key demands: the Governor must tender a public apology to Manipur; top administrative officials including the chief secretary, security advisor, and DGP must resign from their respective posts; the current administrative enquiry committee must be replaced with an independent inquiry committee led by a retired session or High Court judge; and authorities must provide a clear explanation of the Gwaltabi incident to the people of Manipur.
The statement underscored that the movement is not a protest against peace, but rather a protest "against the surrender of governance to narco-terror threats, the alienation of Manipur's people, and the erasure of our identity under the guise of PR governance" .
"'Manipur' is not a negotiable term.
It is our name, our soul, our heritage.
We shall defend it, united, unwavering, and until justice prevails," COCOMI stated.
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