Won't be part of peace panel : COCOMI
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 12 2023: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has categorically stated that they would not join the Peace Committee set up by the Central Government as of now.

Speaking to media persons at their office today, COCOMI coordinator Jitendra Ningombam said, "We have already declined to be part of the Peace Committee even before the Ministry of Home Affairs came out with a list of its members on June 10 which includes myself" .

Many people have been asking the COCOMI about the steps that may be taken up by the Peace Committee which is headed by the Governor as the Chairperson.

On the other hand, none of the demands placed by the people of Manipur before the Government of India to facilitate restoration of peace and normalcy in the State has been fulfilled till date, Jitendra said.

The people's demands are basically aimed at establishing long-lasting peace and normalcy in the State, he said.

It would not be right for the COCOMI to join the Peace Committee when none of the demands raised by the people of Manipur has been fulfilled by the Government of India.

As such, the COCOMI has decided to stay away from the Peace Committee.

Peace will return on its own once the Government of India and the State Government succeed in reining in the narco-terrorists and the illegal immigrants.

Until and unless the narco-terrorists and the illegal immigrants are controlled, peace and normalcy will remain a far cry, he said.

Even today, heavily armed narco-terrorists have not stopped attacking Meitei villages and burning down houses.

Peace and normalcy will return automatically once these narco-terrorists are flushed out from the soil of Manipur, Jitendra said.

Nonetheless, COCOMI welcomes and supports the establishment of the Peace Committee which comprises many distinguished personalities and intellectuals as its members, he said.

COCOMI media coordinator Somorendro Thokchom said that establishment of a Peace Committee headed by the Governor as Chairperson is a positive step.

However, peace and normalcy will remain elusive as long as the narco-terrorists continue to attack unarmed civilians, he said.

There will be no meaningful peace in Manipur even if a dozen peace committees are formed until and unless the Kuki militants under SoO are controlled effectively and narco-terrorists who infiltrated into the State from Myanmar are flushed out, Somorendro said.

The Government of India must respond positively to the common demand of COCOMI and the United Naga Council (UNC) for implementation of NRC in the State without any further delay, he said.

Once NRC is implemented in letter and spirit, illegal immigrants can be identified easily and this will ensure lasting peace in the State, he continued.

He then urged the Peace Committee to raise the demand of NRC and urge the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister to fulfil the same.

The violent crisis which erupted on May 3 has resulted in loss of many precious lives and large scale destruction on both sides.

No Meitei house now stands in Churachandpur and Moreh.

Likewise, many Kuki houses have been damaged extensively in the valley, he said.

Taking advantage of the situation, some people have been trying to take possession of the abandoned houses and the plots, he said before urging all the people not to lay claims over the household plots of the victims.

He also urged the Government to stop sale and purchase of land until the crisis is over.

"Lets all live together and safeguard the territorial boundary of Manipur.

The COCOMI is always committed to the integrity of Manipur", Somorendro added.

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