COCOMI's human chain to raise demands
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 05 2023: Even as it appealed to the people to form human chains in their respective localities from 8 pm to 9 pm on June 6, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has written to the Union Home Minister to take strong action against SoO Kuki militant groups and replace the entire Assam Rifles (AR) deployed in Manipur with the Border Security Force (BSF) .

Speaking to media persons at the office of COCOMI at Uripok Yambem Leikai, its coordinator, Jeetendra Ningomba said a representation containing the demands, addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, was submitted to Security Advisor Kuldeip Singh yesterday.

"The representation contains details of the acts of terrorism committed by the SoO Kuki militants after Amit Shah's return from Manipur" .

COCOMI's human chain to raise demands

Jeetendra said, the Kuki militants, who are bound by the Suspension of Operation (SoO), have broken the ground rules of the agreement and they have never ceased attacking Meitei villages/settlements even after the Union Home Minister had visited the State and appealed to all sides to shun all violence.

While the representation submitted to the Union Home Minister urged the Central Government to take strong action against the Kuki militants for carrying out terrorism against civilians, it also cautioned that there may be an outbreak of widespread mass protest and agitation in Manipur if the Centre fails to take appropriate immediate action against the Kuki militants.

Jeetendra further stated that the representation stressed that the local youths who have taken up arms to protect themselves are not willing to surrender their weapons as the Kuki militants are continuously attacking Meitei villages and civilians in many vulnerable places on the outskirts of the valley.

Jeetendra continued the representation also details the inaction, ineffectiveness and biased nature of the Assam Rifles in the present conflict.

It contains detailed accounts and cases that proved AR supporting the Kuki militants directly and indirectly in the present conflict.

Detailed reports on the recent incident in which the Assam Rifles personnel and their vehicles had blocked the gates of Sugnu police station and SDPO office gate preventing the State security force from discharging their duties was included in the representation, he added.

The letter to Amit Shah urged the Centre to completely open the Highways and ensure safe and free passage of all vehicles.

It registered strong opposition to the current arrangement in which the Highway is open for a few hours a day for some days only, said Jeetendra.

COCOMI's coordinator, Somorendro Thokchom, who was also present in the press meet, said the Coordinating Committee is committed to its stand to protect Manipur's integrity and it will never compromise on the issue.

He appealed to all the people to form human chains in their localities from 8 pm to 9 pm on June 6 and raise slogans to protect the State's united structure and integrity.