COCOMI flays Mizoram CM's statement...Hails Thadou resolution
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 05 2024:
While categorically stating that the statement given by Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on an official visit to the United States has stirred unrest in the entire North East region, the COCOMI has hailed and welcomed the resolutions adopted at the Thadou Convention 2024 held at Guwahati recently.
Speaking to media persons at their Lamphelpat office today, COCOMI convenor Thokchom Somorendro noted that the Thadou Tribe adopted a resolution to support the State Government's War on Drugs and also the popular demand for implementation of NRC (National Register of Citizens) in the State at the Thadou Convention 2024 .
This resolution was a right step, Somorendro remarked.
Around 35 communities are living together in Manipur and the integrity of this common home is threatened by external forces every now and then, he said.
Currently Manipur has been facing a war-like situation because of a sustained offensive launched by illegal immigrants with the primary objective of disintegrating Manipur, he said.
Even though there have been some ill-will and misunderstandings among the communities on account of the violent crisis, the Thadou tribe held a convention at Guwahati for two days recently and resolved to safeguard the integrity of Manipur and work to restore peace and harmony in the State.
To the COCOMI, it is a correct and highly commendable step, the convenor said.
He said that the Thadous have taken the first step to restore peace and harmony among the 35 communities who have been living together in Manipur for centuries.
Somorendro assured that the COCOMI would extend full support to this initiative of the Thadou tribe.
He then appealed to all the 35 communities of Manipur to adopt a similar decision as adopted by the Thadou tribe and work collectively to protect the integrity of Manipur.
"All the communities who have been living together in Manipur since ages are all Manipuris and we are one.
Let us all work collectively to protect our own common homeland", Somorendro said.
There should be a cut off base year for implementation of NRC which is acceptable to all.
After adopting 1951 as the base year, all immigrants who came to Manipur after the base year should not be allowed to settle in the State even if they belong to the 35 communities, the COCOMI convenor said.
Calling upon all the communities to participate in the NRC exercise and identification of immigrants, he appealed for peaceful co-existence among all the communities.
From its initial days, COCOMI has been constantly advocating for peaceful co-existence among all the communities by upholding the idea of Manipur and its integrity.
COCOMI is elated on seeing the support and cooperation of all the 35 communities to its struggle for communal harmony and peaceful co-existence, he said.
"Even if we had committed wrongs to each other, let us forget and forgive all the past misdeeds.
It's time to reinforce our integrity and face the external challenges collectively", Somorendro appealed.
Efforts to create a new Golden Triangle after the old one was demolished has adversely impacted all the communities of Manipur and the entire North East region, he continued.
It is a matter of grave concern that 30 to 40 per cent of youth in the entire North East region including Manipur have become addicted to drugs.
This is one serious challenge which must be fought collectively by all the communities, he said.
The statement given by Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma during his official visit to the United States for unification of all Kuki-Zo tribes of North East India in the name of Christianity and creation of Christian State/country has stirred unrest in the entire North East region, the COCOMI convenor decried.
It is a matter of grave concern that the Mizoram Chief Minister made such a highly controversial statement at a time when Manipur is facing a serious crisis on account of a sustained offensive launched by Kuki-Zo narco-terrorists, he said.
COCOMI is fully committed to fight all forces which challenge the integrity of Manipur and the idea of Manipur, the convenor asserted.
If the Mizoram Chief Minister has any intention or aspiration which challenges the integrity and territorial boundary of Manipur, COCOMI and all the communities of Manipur will oppose any move towards this end with all their strength, he warned.
Apparently, the Government of India has an attitude of neglecting the people of the North East region in pursuit of geopolitical gains.
It's time for India to shed this attitude, he said.
All the grievances, indignation and the resulting unrest seen in the North East region can be addressed effectively only when the Government of India can see the peoples of this region as equal citizens of India, he added.
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