Myanmarese Kukis fuelling crisis in state: COCOMI
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 21 2024: With the term of COCOMI coordinator Jeetendra Ningomba coming to an end, media and publicity coordinator Somendro Thokchom has been appointed as the new coordinator.

According to the new coordinator Somendro, COCOMI is a conglomerate of organisations working on various issues of the state in addition to urging the government of India to consider the people of Matiipur as its citizen and treat them accordingly.

The government of India has been giving step-motherly treatment to the people of Manipur which could be comprehended from the way state forces got killed by Kuki militants despite presence of the central forces in and around places where the attacks were carried out, he alleged.

Clarifying over the posers raised on role of COCOMI in the present crisis, he said COCOMI volunteers have been defending the state as village volunteers with many yet to return to their respective homes in the last 6 months.

We need to stop blaming one another and instead extend cooperation, the coordinator emphasised.

He also pointed out the need for the 39 Meetei MLAs to unite and work together to restore peace in the state while declaring that COCOMI will heartily welcome all suggestions for the betterment and peace in Manipur.

Somendro also stated that as the on-going has adversary elements from across the border the public need to identify the Myanmarese Kukis so as to bring an end to the conflict.

If the old Kukis desire to stay peacefully in Manipur, they should first disassociate themselves from the Myanmarese Kukis.

Only then Meeteis will extend support to them, he added.

Speaking to media persons at its Lamphel office on the sidelines of the charge handing and taking over ceremony on Sunday, Jeetendra Ningomba pointed out that COCOMI is formed by various organisations active in the state for over 25 years and spearheading as and when the state faces serious socio-ethnic issues.

As COCOMI is an organisation having own set of rules and basic structures, the office bearers also have specific office tenures, Jeetendra said, adding that during his stint as the coordinator, a number of activities were carried out successfully, despite obstacles faced in executing certain works for the welfare of the society, though all the objectives could not be realised.

He also recounted difficulties experienced in trying to execute the task of the people, including the Phoubakchao and Dolaithabi incident.

While handing over the charge of coordinator to Somendro Thokchom, who had been serving as the president of League of Indigenous People Upiiftment, Jeetendra wished that his successor will perform his duties at his best level during this time of crisis and succeed in restoring the much needed peace in the state.

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