In the wake of relentless assaults on state police commando (CDO) in Moreh by Kuki militants, the Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) took a strong stand on Wednesday, demanding the resignation of the current chairman of the Unified Command, Kuldiep Singh.
Kuldiep Singh, who also serves as the security advisor of Manipur, has been accused of inadequacy in handling the escalating security crisis.
Addressing the media at its office in Imphal, COCOMI coordinator Jeetendra Ningomba expressed deep concern over the continuous attacks by Kuki militants to security forces and Meetei inhabited areas using sophisticated weaponry, emphasising that it signals a complete breakdown of the security arrangement in Manipur.
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He insisted on the necessity of appointing a new chairman for the Unified Command, someone with an in-depth understanding of the ground situation.
Highlighting the Wednesday’s incident in Moreh where Kuki militants including Myanmarists, wielding advanced weapons like RPGs, targeted CDO personnel, resulting in the killing of one personnel and injuring several others, he asserted that such brazen acts indicate that the Kuki militants have surpassed acceptable limits.
Questioning the response of both the central and state governments, the coordinator referred to the earlier warning issued by the DG Assam Rifle to Kuki militants if Kuki militants continue to provoke security forces.
He pointed out the apparent disregard for the warning as the attacks on security forces persist.
Further addressing the threat from groups like CoTU and ITLF, who have threatened to ban state administration in Kuki-dominated areas if alleged killers of Moreh SDPO are not released within 48 hours, Jeetendra cautioned against taking such provocative statements lightly.
He urged the government to declare CoTU and ITLF as anti-national organisations in light of their actions.
Responding to reports suggesting that state CDOs did not receive orders to retaliate at full strength during Kuki militant attacks, COCOMI called on the CDOs to act proactively without waiting for explicit orders.
They reassured the CDOs of full support from both COCOMI and the people of Manipur, stating their readiness to confront the government if disciplinary actions are to be taken against CDOs for not complying with high command orders.
