COCOMI briefs MHA on need to end SoO militancy
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 31 2025: COCOMI convener Khuraijam Athouba has said that the seven-member delegation of the committee had clearly apprised officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on the need to bring an end to anti-peace element Chin-Kuki-Zo armed groups under Suspension of Operation (SoO) to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur.

Detailing media persons about COCOMI's recent meeting with MHA officials, Khuraijam Athouba said that a seven-member delegation of the committee met MHA officials on May 27 in New Delhi and conveyed that Kuki militants under the SoO agreement signed with the Government of India are the key drivers of the crisis in Manipur, and need to be dealt with first to end the ongoing unrest.

COCOMI briefs MHA on need to end SoO militancy

Addressing media persons at the COCOMI office at Lamphelpat on Saturday, Athouba said that Kuki militants under SoO have played a central role in the crisis from the very beginning.

He pointed out that all the Kuki MLAs and CSOs had even made a declaration for shouldering the responsibility of holding dialogue to resolve the crisis.

While this understanding might be new to the Government of India, it is already known to COCOMI and the people of Manipur, he said.

Stating that Kuki CSOs have long acted as the mouthpiece of SoO militants, Athouba asserted that they are not in a position to make independent decisions.

Therefore, he said, the Government of India cannot push the committee to hold dialogue without first ending the activities of anti-peace elements demanding a separate administration.

The MHA officials were made fully aware of the points raised by the committee during the meeting, he added.

Athouba continued that the resolutions adopted during the people's convention organised by COCOMI on May 3, as well as the committee's demands over the May 20 Gwaltabi incident, including a public apology by the Governor and resignation of top officials, were also placed before MHA.

The delegation also made it clear that narco-terrorism, deforestation, illegal immigration and SoO militancy cannot be compromised while resolving the crisis.

One significant outcome of the meeting was the presentation of all the points adopted during the May 3 public convention to the MHA in detail.

While these points are yet to be formally submitted to the Government of India, discussions for official submission have already begun and COCOMI expects progress soon.

Athouba said that the committee has started pursuing MHA officials to formally place the points at the appropriate level.

Regarding the Gwaltabi incident, Athouba maintained that the issue cannot be settled without fixing accountability and stated that MHA officials had noted the matter and assured the delegation of taking necessary action.

While asserting that COCOMI's agitation over the Gwaltabi incident will continue until the demands are met, Athouba informed that t'he protest will take a hiatus and resume after weather and flood conditions improve.

He also appealed to organisations and the public to continue supporting COCOMI in its future agitations.