The Women Wing of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) intensified their protests on Tuesday, storming the official residence of Minister Th Biswajit at Sanjenthong in Imphal.
Their primary demand was the immediate cessation of support by the Indian government for what they termed the “Kuki Narco-Terrorists.”
The protest commenced at the gate of Lamyanba Shanglen in Imphal East and proceeded towards Minister Th Biswajit’s official residence.
The protestors, determined and vocal, demanded that if the government could not eradicate the presence and influence of the Kuki Narco-Terrorists in Manipur, they should hand over governance to the public.
Despite Minister’s absence from his residence during the incident, the protestors managed to communicate their demands to him via a phone call. This did not deter their resolve, as they proceeded to the residence of Speaker Th Satyabarta at Bamon Leikai in Imphal, carrying the same demands.
The protest on Tuesday followed similar actions earlier in the month.
On June 11, protestors stormed the residence of Minister S Ranjan, and on June 20, they targeted the residence of Minister Y Khemchand.
Each of these protests highlighted the same pressing demand, which is a decisive governmental statement and action against the Kuki Narco-Terrorists.
Speaking to the media, Y Lairikleima the coordinator of the COCOMI Women Wing expressed frustration over the government’s failure to resolve the 14-month-long crisis.
She pointed out that while 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs could demand a homeland, the remaining 50 MLAs of Manipur should resign if they are unable to bring the ongoing crisis to an end.
Lairikleima also criticised the security advisor of Manipur, accusing him of remaining a “mute spectator” amid the escalating tension and violence.
“The people of Manipur no longer have trust in him,” she asserted, calling for more active and effective leadership to address the grievances and restore peace in the region.
