Manipur crisis; COCOMI alleges inaction by centre
Public urged to cease normal chores, attend May 3 meet at Khuman Lampak
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 29 2025: With the crisis in Manipur, which broke out on May 3, 2023, continuing to cause anxiety and confusion among the people for nearly two years, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) is set to organise a public conclave on May 3 at Khuman Lampak to seek a solution.

The Committee appealed to the public to suspend normal activities on that day and participate in the event.

Addressing media persons at its Lamphelpat office, here, Tues day, convenor Athouba Khuraijam announced that the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) will organise a public conclave at Khuman Lampak on May 3 to take a collective decision aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis in Manipur.

Manipur crisis; COCOMI alleges inaction by centre

Informing that the event themed "Manipur People's Convention on Two Years of Manipur Crisis" - commencing at 11:30 am - will seek to resolve the prolonged unrest, he said that awareness campaigns have been conducted across various parts of the state in preparation.

Athouba also reasoned that in the absence of any visible initiative or action from the central government to fulfil its constitutional duties, and with no clear solution in sight, the people of Manipur continue to suffer under confusion and chaos.

Expressing remorse over failure by the government to resolve the crisis, Athouba opined that the centre seems to be making the problem last longer instead of trying to address suffering of the state's masses.

He said that even though it's been two years, the central government hasn't fixed things, and questioned what they are doing to help.

"The people of Manipur have suffered for too long.

This convention is a platform to voice our collective concerns and to present constructive demands to the Government of India," Athouba said.

COCOMI has decided to hold the May 3 convention, which will be participated by representatives of various communities, intellectuals, scholars, eminent personalities, community leaders and representatives of internally displaced persons to collectively arrive at a concrete decision, he affirmed, while appealing to the public to suspend normal activities on that day and take part in the convention.

Athouba further explained that the convention is aimed at identifying elements responsible for the ongoing crisis and urge the Government of India to recognise its root causes, while adding that the goal is to push for a decisive course of action from the central government to address these issues effectively.

Emphasising that the decisions taken at the convention would reflect the people's will and serve as a roadmap toward lasting peace, he also appealed to the public, district administrations concerned, police, local clubs and meira paibi groups to extend full cooperation to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of the public convention.

Meanwhile, a public meeting held on Tuesday at Kakching town resolved to participate in the May 3 People's Convention in Imphal, to be organised by COCOMI .

The meeting, jointly organised by All Kakching Clubs' Coordinating Committee (AKCCC) and COCOMI, was convened to mobilise local participation in the upcoming convention, which aims to address the ongoing crisis in Manipur.

COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba, mobilisation committee convenor YK Dhiren, AKCCC president Ksh Dharmadas, vice-president Ksh Ibobi, and Kakching Keithel Apunba Ima Lup advisor Mayanglambam Mubi Devi were present on the occasion as members on the dais.

Addressing the gathering, Athouba accused "Kuki narco-terrorist groups" of waging a proxy war against the indigenous people of Manipur.

He said that these groups are being led by leaders of Myanmar origin and alleged that they are mercenaries funded by the Government of India.

The Government of India has remained a silent spectator for the past two years even as these narco-terrorists killed an eight-month-old baby and more than 250 lives were lost in the crisis, Athouba said.

He further alleged that this inaction by the Centre indicates a tacit support for the groups and a deliberate move to treat the indigenous people as second-class citizens.

This is the time for the people to rise and show that they can no longer accept such policies, he stated, calling on citizens across the state to attend the May 3 convention and adopt a unified resolution.

Athouba appealed to the public to send at least one representative from each family to the upcoming event in Imphal to collectively voice their concerns.