COCOMI sees red, condemns arson
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 11 2024:
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has strongly condemned the fresh arson at Kwatha Khunou village, Tengnoupal district.
In a statement today, COCOMI said it takes the burning of houses at Kwatha Khunou village very seriously and condemns it in the strongest terms.
The arson took place after weeks without any violent incident in the strife-torn State.
COCOMI said the fresh arson at Kwatha Khunou clearly shows that the "illegal immigrants", who have waged war to break Manipur's integrity are not willing to give peace a chance and calm until they achieve what they seek.
While unprovoked attacks have taken place repeatedly amid the current crisis, the Government has not yet taken a concrete action against SoO militants, it said.
The SoO militants have been given immunity while the term of the pact has expired, it added.
The Government of India giving a free hand to the SoO militants even after they have committed heinous crimes against humanity including killings and arson shows the wilful arrogance of the Centre, said COCOMI.
The committee also condemned the incident in which State security forces were confronted and prevented from carrying out an investigation into the brutal physical assault on a driver and handyman at Moreh recently.
The driver and the handyman were abducted and then beaten black and blue by suspected Kuki militants on the charge of helping the State security forces.
The two had delivered sand for construction of a barrack at Moreh Police IB.
"The womenfolk in Moreh had hurled abuses at the State security forces and even physically pushed them, preventing them from performing their law-bound duty.
"They had also said it (Moreh) was Kukiland and they could do anything.
The State and the Central Government must not take this remark lightly and take up appropriate actions," said COCOMI.
The rule of law must prevail.
It must not take sides with a particular community.
The Government must take up appropriate actions to avoid future occurrence of such unwanted incidents, added COCOMI.