Set aside all differences : COCOMI
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 07 2023:
Expressing concern over the Meetei people rebuking each another amid the conflict with Kuki narco-terrorists, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has appealed to all Meiteis to set aside all difference and work for a common cause.
Addressing the media at its office at Lamphelpat today, COCOMI convenor Jitendra Ningomba said that Meetei people belittling and criticising one another especially during this difficult period is a major setback for the entire ethnic group.
Saying that this mistrust among sections of Meeteis will hinder in uniting the people and it is akin to aiding the Kukis in the conflict, he said that there will be violence among the Meeteis too if the problem is not nipped in the bud.
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He appealed to every Meetei to not endorse any activity or statement which can create a sharp divide among the ethnic group.
Continuing that COCOMI welcomes and appreciates all criticisms thrown against them in TV discussions and social media platforms, Jitendra added that most of the criticisms, however, are destructive which aim to malign the image of the Committee.
The Committee may have done some wrongs in the course of the movement taken up to protect Manipur but the Committee must be given time to reflect and act on it instead of putting the entire blame on them, he said.
He also appealed to Meetei people to exercise restraint while criticising others as every individual is very emotional due to the ongoing crisis.
Don't play with the emotion of the people as it could create a bigger problem, he said.
Maintaining that COCOMI is an umbrella body of different major civil society organisations (CSOs) in Manipur which believe in unity of people and it welcomes all constructive criticisms and suggestions, Jitendra stated that there, however, is no point in teaching what unity is to the Committee.
Saying that thousands of youth joining hands under the banner of Youth of Manipur (YoM) to protect the integrity of Manipur and her people is praiseworthy, Jitendra added that these youth mounting pressure on the CSOs within a short span of time, however, is uncalled for and unacceptable as uniting all CSOs in a complex State like Manipur is not easy as it seems.
He further said that a threadbare discussion among all stakeholders is indispensable for all CSOs to unite and it will take time.
Further stating that a section of Meetei people depicting COCOMI as a group working on vested interest amid the confrontation against Kuki narco-terrorists is unfortunate, Jitendra said that the Committee also has a tolerable limit.
Continuing that COCOMI has its own set of ideas and is ready to face every obstacle in its path to safeguard Manipur along with the people, Jitendra appealed to all to support COCOMI to defeat the Kuki narco-terrorists.
He, on the other hand, said that thousands of people and volunteers of COCOMI being able to march upto Kangvai in yesterday's movement demanding removal of Army barricades from Phougakchao Ikhai in Bishnupur is a moral victory for all the indigenous people.
"There is no guarantee that all our demands will be entertained absolutely but marching upto Kangvai by defying the curfew is a victory in itself," Jitendra maintained.
He assured that COCOMI will extend all possible assistance to those who got injured yesterday.