Amid reports of repeated militant attacks on innocent civilians in the aftermath of the recent ethnic riots that hit Manipur, COCOMI volunteers alleged the Central forces of remaining a silent spectator and declared that “it is time to take up our own defense mechanism to defend the valley brethren from the hands of militants under SoO."
In view of the prevailing crisis situation, COCOMl organised a series of sit-in protests in different locations of Imphal East and Imphal West.
The volunteers informed the protesters that the ongoing unrest is not an ethnic clash but a result of a well, pre-planned narco-terrorism carried out by illegal immigrants.
Slogans such as, ‘Long live Manipur’; ‘We condemned the silence of security personnel’; ‘No separate administration in Manipur’; ‘End SoO agreement and initiate action’ were shouted by the protesters during the protests.
The sit-in protest was held at Huidrom, Itam Nungoi, Sawombung, Lamlai Bazar, Lamlong Keithel, Salam Thong, Khurai Popular Lampak and Chingarel Tejpur in Imphal East.
In Imphal West, it was held at Uripok Yambem Leikai, Yurembam Makha Leikai, Lamsang, Mayang Langjing, Phumlou, Sagolband Moirang Hanuba Leirak and in four areas of Langthabal.
The protesters had also endorsed to fully support COCOMI in every of their activities to safeguard the integrity of Manipur.
One of the protesters at Uripok Yambem Leikai, Y Momon Leima, while speaking to the media, questioned the silence of the Central forces while civilians are being attacked by militants under SoO.
“Are the central forces deployed on behalf of SoO groups or to protect the civilians,” she asked.
She said, it is also confusing to witness that the Central forces are been deployed in large scale in the city area where there is peace instead of deploying them in the peripheral areas where there is unrest.
“Something is wrong with the security measures,” she said, questioning “What is the hidden agenda behind?”
She further questioned the stance of the 50 MLAs on the demand of aseparate administration by 10 MLAs.
If the government really wants to restore peace in Manipur, withdraw the SoO agreements and initiate action against them for violating the ground rules, she added.
