Imphal: A seven-member delegation of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) was prepared to hold an exclusive meeting with officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
The meeting aims to address unresolved political and security matters related to the ongoing Manipur crisis.
The delegation will be led by committee convenor Kh Athouba. Other members include Yengkokpam Dhiren Meetei, L. Jadumani Singh, Thiyam Bharat Singh, Laikhuram Jayenta Singh, Phijam Shyamchand Singh, and Yumkhaibam Surjitkumar. They will depart for New Delhi on Monday, according to the people’s committee.
Speaking to the media at the committee office at Lamphel, Imphal West, on Sunday, Athouba said the meeting is scheduled for May 27 in the national capital and will focus on following up on resolutions adopted during the “Manipur People’s Convention” held on May 3 at Khuman Lampak.
The convention was held to mark the second anniversary of the May 3, 2023, outbreak of ethnic violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities. Since the crisis began, over 250 people have lost their lives, more than 60,000 have been displaced, and thousands remain sheltered in relief camps across the hills and valleys.
“Amid the ongoing unrest, a political deadlock has also unfolded. Following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, the Ministry of Home Affairs imposed President’s Rule in the state on February 13, placing Manipur under suspended animation. Since then, the legislators have been unable to form a popular government due to political division among the ruling legislators,” Athouba said.
“The upcoming meeting with MHA officials would focus on core issues surrounding the crisis, including recent controversies involving the governor and state administrators. In particular, COCOMI will raise concerns over the Gwaltabi incident, in which a Manipur State Transport bus was stopped on May 20 and instructed to remove the word “Manipur” from its signage,” he added.
“The committee will demand a public apology from the governor, action against incompetent state officials, and an immediate end to unjustified police aggression against peaceful demonstrators,” Athouba said.
