COCOMI for emergency session, protection of women, kids
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 17 2023:
Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) held a joint meeting with ruling and oppo sition MLAs and raised the demand for convening an emergency session of the Manipur legislative assembly.
Informing to the media at the Lamphelpat office of UCM on Monday, COCOMI coordinator Jeetendra Ningomba said that a nine-member team of COCOMI met 26 MLAs from both ruling and opposition parties on Monday wherein it raised the demand for holding an emergency session of the assembly, and to take a resolution to root out narco-terrorism from the state, which is the root cause of the present conflict in the state, and submit the same to the Central government.
They also highlighted the involvement of Kuki militant groups under Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement and demanded them to raise the issue with the Central government, implementation of NRC and a firm resolution against separate administration.
They further highlighted the present condition of state security force in border town Moreh and demanded to take up necessary steps to ensure peace and stability there.
They also brought up the issue of numerous bunkers being set up in the hill areas despite the government's initiative to dismantle them as a step towards restoring peace, and demanded the government to prevent setting up new bunkers and to direct central forces not to take side of any community involved in the conflict.
Meanwhile, sharing its observation that the present conflict is a historic movement to protect the unity, integrity and identity of Manipur as well as its future, Jeetendra, however, expressed concern over growing resentment among the people, which has pushed some groups of people to attack even women and children.
While conveying heartfelt condolences over the killing of Maring woman Mary Lucy (Lucy Marem), he opined that it was an outcome of impulsive behaviour in some sections of the people.
It was unfortunate that such trend of not sparing even the women and children is taking place, he regretted while terming it as a blot on the history of Meetei civilisation, which the community takes great pride of.
He called upon the people not to be impulsive but strive to identify the real enemy of the state.
Lack of un derstanding the issue and failure to segregate friends from foes could lead to unwanted incidents, he cautioned and urged all to protect women and children.
Jeetendra also noted that people from different parts of the state are raising the demand for unity among the organisations and people in order to steer the movement.
Honouring this demand, COCOMI would be organising a mega public meeting at Khwairamband Keithel on July 21 for take a common resolution, he said and appealed to the people of the state to participate in the public meeting.