Talks only after SoO pact abrogated: COCOMI
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 31 2025: COCOMI has reportedly told the Government of India that it would not hold any talks with the Kuki-Zo groups until and unless the SoO pact is abrogated and the Kuki-Chin-Zo groups under the pact are neutralised.

Speaking to media persons at their Lamphelpat office today, COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba said that the Manipur crisis is mainly driven by SoO groups.

Kuki MLAs and CSOs do not have the capacity to take decisions on their own.

Everybody knows that they are not in a position to take any major decision, he said.

This fact was testified by Kuki MLAs and CSOs when they told the Government of India to hold the talks with SoO groups instead, Athouba remarked.

The SoO groups are driven by a political agenda and they are opposed to all peace initiatives.

"As such, we told the MHA officials during the meeting held on May 27 that we would not hold any talks with Kuki-Zo groups under any circumstances until the SoO pact is abrogated and the groups are neutralised", he said.

"We made it clear that we will talk with Kuki-Zo people and CSOs and work for peace only after the issue of SoO pact is abrogated", Athouba said.

The resolutions adopted at the People's Convention held on May 3, 2025 and the Gwaltabi incident were the main points raised by the COCOMI delegates during the meeting held with MHA officials at New Delhi, he said.

The State Government issued a press release on May 28 on the Gwaltabi incident and the Chief Secretary held a press conference together with the Security Advisor on the same matter the next day.

However, as AMWJU and EGM boycotted State Government news, not all the people knew what the State Government said in their press release and at the press conference.

What the State Government said on the Gwaltabi incident was circulated in social media and some media based outside the State but it was not enough for all the people to know what the State was saying.

As such, COCOMI is not in a position to take a decision on the issue, Athouba said.

On the other hand, the MHA officials accepted that the Gwaltabi incident was a challenge to the pride, dignity, identity and history of Manipur, he said.

Until and unless accountability and responsibility are fixed, there is no question of COCOMI coming to an agreement with the Government on the issue, Athouba said.

COCOMI still stands firm on its decision that the Governor should tender an apology, and the Chief Secretary, the DGP and the Security Advisor must step down, he said.

COCOMI would announce the strategy, time and place of the protest movement to the people in time even though the protest is being put on hold or delayed on account of the prevailing flood situation, he said.

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