Cocomi calls for urgent Centre’s attention to Jiribam violence, asks ‘Why Indian government allows dire conflict to persist unchecked for so long’

Imphal: Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (Cocomi) has drawn the attention of Government of India to control the violence in Jiribam district of Manipur.

Jiribam has been reeling under violence since Thursday.

In a statement issued by the coordinating committee on Saturday said, in the wake of yet another brutal cycle of violence in Jiribam, one of the last peaceful areas of Manipur where Thadou, Hmar, Paite, Kabui, Zeliangrong, Meetei Pangal, and Meetei communities have coexisted, “Cocomi holds the Government of India responsible for the prolonged deprivation and suffering of the indigenous people of Manipur”.

“The recent violence appears to be an orchestrated and provocative action by immigrant Kuki groups, aiming to further their demands for separate administration through terror tactics. Despite the Kuki Inpi Jiribam’s attempts to defend their position, evidence points to the involvement of Kuki Narco-Terrorist groups in the abduction and murder of a Meetei victim. This heinous act, perpetrated in broad daylight by individuals led by Mr. Gousang from Phaitol Village, who arrived in a Bolero vehicle bearing registration number AS 27 A 2905, is clearly intended to disrupt the longstanding peace among local communities.”

The committee questions, “Why the Indian government allows such a dire conflict to persist unchecked for so long?”

The failure of Assam Rifles to pursue the actual perpetrators, opting instead to fire live rounds at an angry mob, is deeply troubling. It raises serious concerns about the government’s commitment to protecting the lives and properties of its citizens. Furthermore, the preferential treatment of immigrant communities over indigenous populations is unacceptable, Cocomi said.

The deployment of Indian security personnel, who seem more focused on Indo-Myanmar border areas rather than maintaining order within Manipur, highlights a gross misallocation of resources. This neglect has allowed armed groups to perpetuate violence unchecked. The proxy war tactics employed by the Indian government, purportedly to gain leverage in the Indo-China geopolitical arena, come at the expense of Manipur’s indigenous people, revealing a disturbing pattern of state- sponsored violence and political manipulation, it added.

The recent arrest of Kuki Narco-Terrorist group members from Imphal Airport involved in transnational conspiracies, as reported by the NIA, underscores the complex and troubling nature of the conflict, it said.

The government’s inconsistent narrative, particularly the shift in stance by Home minister Amit Shah from blaming illegal migrants to downplaying the violence as mere communal disharmony, fails to address the root causes of the conflict. Cocomi finds it ironic and disturbing that the Indian government, through entities like the Assam Rifles and the Maharashtra Regiment, is reportedly supporting Kuki militants in a proxy war against Manipur insurgents, it added.

This duality is further highlighted by the recent capture of Thongmingthang Haokip alias Roger ( Kuki National Front-military council, KNF-MC) from Imphal Airport, who was involved in orchestrating violence with Kuki insurgent groups from Myanmar, such as KNF-B, and even met with PDF for arms and explosives, it said.

Amit Shah’s recent shift in narrative just before the Lok Sabha Poll Day is noteworthy. Initially accusing illegal migrants from Myanmar of waging a war against India, he has now downplayed the issue to one of mere communal disharmony between Meiteis and Kukis. This change in stance is perplexing and seems to ignore the underlying factors contributing to the year- long violence in the region. The government’s plan to mediate a meeting between the Meiteis and Kukis, while seemingly conciliatory, overlooks the broader issues of state-sponsored violence and political manoeuvring. Cocomi calls on the Government of India to take immediate and sincere actions to resolve the crisis, it said.

The coordinating committee said it is imperative to fix responsibility for the losses and damages incurred over the past year. The government must be held accountable for its role in perpetuating violence and must cease using local conflicts for geopolitical gains.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. The sacrifices made by those who lost their lives will not be forgotten. It is time for a unified voice to demand justice and accountability from the Government of India. The indigenous people of Manipur must no longer be pawns in a larger geopolitical strategy.”