Imphal: Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (Cocomi) has accused India government of adopting a double standard in tackling terrorism.
The people’s committee condemned ‘the government’s inconsistent immigration policies strict with migrants from Pakistan and Bangladesh, yet lenient with those entering from Myanmar’.
“This kind of selective enforcement only deepens the feeling among Manipuris that we are being treated as second-class citizens,” Cocomi convenor Athouba said.
This perceived bias has caused widespread anger in the Northeast, especially in Manipur, where many feel neglected and marginalized.
He was addressing a press conference, here on Tuesday.
“Terrorists from Pakistan are labelled Bad, while those from Myanmar Good. This sends a dangerous message and shows clear regional discrimination,” he said.
Marking two years since the outbreak of ethnic conflict in Manipur, Cocomi had announced it will hold a People’s Convention on May 3 at Khuman Lampak, Imphal.
The event aimed to bring together scholars, community leaders, and the general public to demand decisive action and long-overdue attention from the central government.
Over the past month, Cocomi has consulted with multiple community stakeholders to prepare for the convention. It has called for a statewide shutdown to allow citizens to attend the event in solidarity.
Athouba also criticized the imposition of President’s Rule, saying it has failed to restore law and order in either the valley or the hill districts. He blamed the Centre’s inaction for worsening the humanitarian crisis and pointed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s continued absence from the state as a source of mounting public resentment.
Athouba said the group would not engage with any faction linked to foreign militants. “The root causes of the conflict must be the starting point for any meaningful talks.”
Meanwhile, the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) and the Zomi Students’ Federation (ZSF) announced they will also observe May 3 to commemorate what they describe as the second anniversary of “ethnic cleansing.”
The organizations have called for a complete shutdown of all educational institutions, businesses, and public activities on that day.
Since the violence that erupted on May 3 with Kuki people, backed by militants launched attacks to Meitei villages, over 250 people have been killed, more than 60,000 displaced, and around 80,000 personnel from central and state forces deployed across Manipur, according to official. There has been apprehensions that the Kuki are immigrants and they attack Manipur valley with Myanmar terrorists.
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