COCOMI questions inertia of Central forces
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 12 2024:
Strongly condemning the brutal killing of three firewood collectors of Wangoo Sabal Akasoi by Kuki assailants in the Haotak area on January 10, the COCOMI has questioned the effectiveness of the 70,000-strong Central forces deployed in the State in protecting civilian lives and their properties.
The brutal killing of Thoudam Ibomcha (51), Thoudam Anand (24) and Oinam Romen (38) exposes a disturbing depth of barbarism ingrained in their psyche.
The victims include a father and son, leaving behind a shattered family with a grieving mother and a four-month old daughter.
This was not just a tragic event.
It was a calculated and cold-blooded murder of four unarmed individuals who were gathering firewood for their livelihood, COCOMI asserted in a statement.
It also noted that one Ahanthem Dara (55) who went together with the three victims is still unaccounted for.
While COCOMI refrains from solely blaming the Kuki terrorists and its civilian groups openly supporting the inhuman act in social media, it is imperative to see that they do not fabricate a narrative of being victims in any future violence, it said.
Compounding the distress is the disturbing spectacle of Kuki armed personnel gleefully celebrating the killing of four villagers, shamelessly broadcasting it on social media to provoke the Meetei people, COCOMI said.
It continued that the present security arrangements have undeniably failed, and the role of the Security Advisor over the past eight months during this tumultuous period has been utterly ineffective, with no discernible signs of improvement.
The glaring inadequacy of the 70,000-strong Central forces deployed in the State raises questions about their effectiveness in protecting civilian lives and properties, it said.
"Perhaps it's time to reconsider their presence and empower the State Government to handle the situation", COCOMI asserted.
It said that the alarming absence of law and order in Kuki-infiltrated hill areas poses a grave threat to Manipur.
These regions resemble rogue districts with elected representatives, civil society organisations and narco-terrorist groups rallying together in aggressive opposition to the Meetei and Manipur Government, all transpiring under the indifferent gaze of the Central Government, it said.
The COCOMI also demanded the Chief Minister to take over the charge of the Unified Command and protect the indigenous people's lives, property and integrity of the State and its value.