The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has demanded legal action against those responsible for adding the term ‘Chin State of Manipur’ in the draft vision document 2047 by North Eastern Council (NEC), within five days.
COCOMI also pointed out that the names of many places have been changed while some Kuki leaders have coerced some of the indigenous communities to adopt Kuki surnames.
The state government must take legal action against these activities within five days, or else a series of protests will be initiated against the authorities.
Speaking to the media, COCOMI coordinator Somorendro Thokchom highlighted that NEC mentioning ‘Chin State of Manipur’ is a direct threat to indigenous population of Manipur, citing how the controversial term ‘Chin State of Manipur’ was mentioned in Chapter 3 of NEC’s draft vision document 2047.
Although it was eventually removed following a strong objection from Manipur chief minister N Biren to the Union Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), COCOMI insists that this was not mere oversight, he said.
“This so-called error reflects a calculated attempt to undermine and confuse Manipur identity,” said Somorendro, adding that this is not the first time such an incident has occured.
He mentioned that Bir Tikendrajit Airport in Imphal was mistakenly labeled as Imphal Airport Lamka on an air ticket.
Somorendro alleged that such actions are part of broader scheme, mentioning instances where Kuki leaders coerced indigenous communities like Ichum Kom, Kharam and Aimol near Nambol Leimaram in Bishnupur district, to adopt Kuki surnames like Haokip on thier Aadhar card.
He also said that renaming of various places under central schemes in Moreh, where traditional names like Bazar Lamkhai to Kuki Molaphai, Premnagar to Ngamkhaiveng and Heinoumakhong to Chinkinveng.
He further cited the latest instance of the Khuga Reserve Forest incident. All such activities should not be taken easily, he said.
The state and central government should initiate legal action against those involved within the next five days, otherwise COCOMI along with people of Manipur will launch a series of protests, he added.
