COCOMI, KKL slam threat to integrity, decry sacrilege
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 30 2023: Stating few people posing as leaders are leading the people wrongly with the intention to divide them, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has urged Government to identify and take action against organisations that are acting against the interests of the State.

In a statement it issued to the media today, COCOMI asserted that some, in the name of making demands to the Government, are trying to ignite communal tension and damage the unity of the people and the State's integrity.

It said, strict and appropriate actions must be taken against organisations prea-ching to the people to break off and promoting hatred towards other communities.

Before making a particular demand to the Govern- ment, an organisation or a group should first study how reasonable their demand is and what consequences it may have.

If the demand they are making undermines the integrity and oneness of the people of the State, it may have devastating effects in the future, it said.

COCOMI said Manipur has many communities and when pushing for a demand, the organisation shouldn't be biased and it should not act in such a way that may affect the peaceful coexistence of the people of all communities.

When agitating, the organisation should never use language and tone that may hurt other communities.

However, some organisations have used power and taken law in their hands, it added.

While agitating in connection with a demand raised to the Government, some people in Chura-chandpur recently had undermined the religion and faith of a community and disrespected its flag.

It was an act that only an enemy would exhibit and it was very unfortunate and condemnable, COCOMI said, adding those persons should tender apology for their actions or the organisation which organised the agitation should take respon- sibility and clarify before the public.

Also, the Government should take strong action against the persons who disrespected the community, its religion and flag.

If no action is taken as a deterrent, such persons may do the same disturbing things again and it may become a larger communal issue, it said.

It may be noted that while COCOMI didn't mention the incident clearly, Kangleipak Kanba Lup, Manipur said that on April 29 night at Churachandpur's Thingam-phai Meetei Leikai, some 20 people allegedly vandalised and damaged a Temple of the Eputhou Pakhangba and Salai Taret Flag.

Asking the Government to take up exemplary action against the persons involved in the act of sacrilege, COCOMI said it is time people become conscious and remain vigilant against few persons trying to disrupt the unity that exists among all communities.

The Government should identify every organisation that is trying to divide the State and acting against the unity of all the communities.

Strict and appropriate actions must be taken against all organisations preaching hatred toward other communities and instigating people or a community to break off, said COCOMI.

It also urged leaders of all organisations to pacify their members and people before the issue is blown out of proportion and serious damage is done.

Meanwhile, the Kangleipak Kanba Lup (KKL), Manipur has also condemned the incident in the strongest term that allegedly happened on April 29 night at Churachandpur and demanded the district police to register a case against all those involved in the incident.

If the police refuse to take appropriate action in connection with the incident, KKL along with the people will be forced to agitate, it said in a statement.

Also, the persons involved should tender clarification and apology to the public, it added.

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