COCOMI demands SA, DGP to resign
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 01 2024: Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has strongly condemned the at tack on Koutruk village on Sunday around 2 pm by Chin Kuki terrorists, and demanded the resignation of the Security Advisor (SA) and the Director General of Police (DGP) of Manipur on moral grounds, accusing them of incompetence in protecting public lives and properties.

In a press conference held at its office on Sunday, COCOMI media coordinator Yumkhaibam Surjitkumar expressed deep concern over the attack.

He stated that the residents of Koutruk had been living without fear, believing that the security forces stationed in the area would provide them with adequate protection.

However, following a recent crackdown, village volunteers vacated most of their defensive positions, creating a security vacuum that the Kuki terrorists exploited.

The attack, which was carried out using drone bombs, resulted in several injuries, including a tragic incident where a mother-daughter duo was injured, leading to the mother's death.

COCOMI shares the grief of the bereaved family and stands in solidarity with the affected community, he said while noting that ground reports suggest that both state and Central security forces were not in a position to effectively retaliate against the terrorists due to the latter's use of drones for dropping bombs, which left more than half a dozen individuals, including security personnel, injured.

Surjitkumar further criticised the government crackdown on village volunteers as it has weakened local defences and emboldened the attackers.

He stated, "The terrorists were able to carry out such a deadly attack due to the government's actions against village volunteers.

People no longer trust the security forces to protect their lives and properties".

He also brought attention to other recent attacks by Kuki terrorists, including a bomb attack at Torbung village last month and another in Moirang area on August 10, where rockets were fired, and bombs dropped with drones operated from the nearby hills.

Despite these incidents, security forces have failed to take effective measures to hunt down the attackers or seize their weapons, said the media coordinator.

He also maintained that the attack on Sunday, revealed a disturbing scene of central security force targeting civilians, who were helping the fleeing residents to safer places instead of moving to place of origin of the attack and neutralising the perpetrators.

"We strongly condemn and question the rationale for such acts", Surjitkumar stated.

COCOMI called on both the state and central governments to stop the crackdown on village volunteers and acknowledge the voices of the people.

It urged the authorities to take immediate action to restore confidence in the security apparatus and ensure that such attacks do not occur in the future.

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