MHA urged to act on Gwaltabi case
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 27 2025: Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) on Tuesday urged senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to expedite process for honouring the resolution adopted at the People's Convention held on May 3, 2025, and to take immediate action on the Gwaltabi incident.

During a meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday, COCOMI conveyed the people's strong mandate and sentiments, calling on the Government of India to acknowledge the convention's resolution and address the public outrage over the army's insistence for concealing the state's name from a Manipur State Transport bus.

According to a statement received here, a seven-member delegation of COCOMI attended the meeting with MHA senior officials to deliberate on key issues concerning the ongoing crisis in Manipur.

The two-hour meeting was held in the national capital from 12:25 pm and attended by MHA advisor on Northeast Affairs AK Mishra, and joint director Rajesh Kamble, representing the Government of India.

The COCOMI delegation was led by convenor Khuraijam Athouba, along with members YK Dhiren, Y Surjit Khuman, Phijam Shyamchand, Laikhuram Jayenta, and consultative members L Jadu and Thiyam Bharat.

Among the major topics discussed was the resolution adopted at the People's Convention on May 3, 2025 .

COCOMI pressed the MHA to formally recognise the public mandate articulated in the resolution and to escalate it to higher levels of the Government of India.

The delegation stressed the importance of giving due weight to the convention's outcome in policy decisions relating to the crisis.

The Gwaltabi issue also featured prominently during the talks.

COCOMI conveyed the strong sentiments and demands of the people of Manipur over the incident and urged immediate government action.

MHA officials assured the delegation that the matter had been noted and would be acted upon.

Reaffirming the stand taken during the People's Convention, COCOMI stated clearly that it would engage exclusively with the Government of India in all matters concerning the Manipur crisis.

The delegation rejected the legitimacy of Suspension of Operation (SoO) groups and reiterated that genuine engagement with innocent civilians from the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi-Hmar communities, who are bona fide citizens of the state, should follow only after anti-peace elements are appropriately dealt with.

The threat of narco-terrorism and the rise of armed groups also formed a critical part of the discussion, the statement informed.

COCOMI expressed deep concern over cross-border illegal immigration, illegal opium cultivation, forest encroachment, and the overall deterioration of law and order.

The delegation highlighted that the proceeds of such illicit activities are being used to finance armed groups led by foreign-based individuals.

Raising alarm that these groups have been in political dialogue with the Government of India since 2008 and continue to enjoy financial support and shelter under the guise of the peace process, COCOMI appealed to the government to urgently review its ongoing engagement with such entities.

Several issues requiring immediate intervention were also raised by the delegation - including the need to ensure free movement of people, protect farmers' rights to cultivation along with appropriate compensation for crop losses, safeguard sacred religious sites, deliver justice for missing persons, and provide redressal and resettlement for internally displaced persons.

COCOMI reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to peace and expressed readiness to cooperate in all genuine efforts to restore normalcy in Manipur.

It urged the Government of India to take effective action against anti-peace elements that continue to obstruct the peace process.

Both sides agreed to maintain open lines of communication and to continue the dialogue in the interest of restoring peace and stability in Manipur at the earliest, the statement added.

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