The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) on Saturday expressed profound disappointment with Manipur’s legislators for their conspicuous absence from the “Walk to Save Manipur” mass rally held in Imphal on Friday.
Organised under the banner of preserving Manipur’s integrity, the rally saw participation from only two MLAs, Th Arunkumar of Wangkhei AC and S Nishikanta of Keishamthong AC, despite widespread calls via the media for their involvement.
Addressing media personnel at their Imphal office, COCOMI coordinator Somorendra Thokchom criticised the absent legislators, implying their absence signaled irresponsibility towards the state’s concerns.
Somorendra stressed that legislators must shoulder responsibilities akin to the public in safeguarding Manipur’s interests.
Following the rally, COCOMI announced eight resolutions aimed at addressing critical issues impacting Manipur’s stability.
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These include staunchly defending Manipur’s territorial integrity, halting alleged attempts to undermine indigenous communities, ceasing divisive and communal politics, and addressing the issue of illegal immigrants, particularly Chin-Kuki Narco-Terrorists.
Furthermore, COCOMI demanded that no ceasefire agreements (SoO) be made with Chin-Kuki Narco-Terrorists, urging both state and central governments to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to curb illegal immigration.
The resolutions also called for legislative support in refraining from disarming village volunteers or conducting combing operations until hostilities cease.
Warning of potential public discontent should legislators fail to uphold these resolutions, the coordinator emphasised that while Manipur welcomes Kuki settlers predating 1951, any efforts towards the state’s disintegration could escalate tensions.