COCOMI announced a boycott of all BJP political activities, demanding a military crackdown against what it terms “Kuki narco-terrorists,” while dismissing the state government’s peace initiatives as deceptive and calling for a judicial inquiry into the deaths of three protesters.
IMPHAL – The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has announced a movement to boycott all political activities of the BJP with immediate effect, urging the public not to participate in any such events. The announcement was made at a press interaction held this afternoon at the COCOMI office in Lamphelpat.
Speaking to journalists, COCOMI Coordinator YK Dhiren stated that the “Peace Initiative” currently being undertaken by the BJP-led state government is merely an attempt to mislead the public and called upon the people to join the boycott movement. He expressed strong resentment over what he described as the government’s attempt to project the ongoing crisis through a false narrative as an “ethnic crisis” between the Kukis and Meeteis, asserting that the Chief Minister’s claim of taking peace initiatives to restore inter-community trust is a deception.
Dhiren pointed to recent incidents as evidence of the failure of these initiatives. He noted that immediately after the Chief Minister’s visit to Jiribam, an attack occurred at Tronglaobi in which two small children were killed and their mother critically injured. Following the subsequent visit to Ukhrul, two innocent Tangkhul civilians were attacked and killed on the road the very next morning.
|
He said these attacks are a direct affront to the government’s peace initiative and expose its lack of credibility. |
Democratic Protests to Continue; Marches to CM, HM Residences Planned
Dhiren stated that COCOMI, along with the people, will continue democratic protests including Meira Rallies and sit-in protests.
|
COCOMI DEMANDS |
|
1. A military crackdown to uproot the “proxy army” involved in the ongoing conflict. |
|
2. A judicial inquiry and full accountability regarding the deaths of three protesters killed by CRPF bullets. |
|
3. A clear stand from the Chief Minister and Home Minister on the demands raised. |
Dhiren asserted that the agitation will not be withdrawn until the government takes significant and satisfactory action on these demands. He also announced that the public would march to the residences of the Chief Minister and the Home Minister to demand a clear stand on the issues.
Crisis Termed a ‘Proxy War,’ BJP Held Responsible
YK Dhiren reiterated COCOMI’s longstanding position that the unrest unfolding since May 3, 2023, is not an ethnic conflict but a proxy war waged against the people of Manipur. He alleged that the total absence of action by central and state security forces against armed groups at the start of the conflict, when houses and villages were being burnt, is clear evidence supporting this position.
|
He further alleged that the ruling BJP is involved in the ongoing crisis and cannot claim innocence, stating that every member of the party must take responsibility and work toward ending the unrest. |
He noted that successive administrations — the previous government, the period of President’s Rule, and the current government — have all failed to fulfil this responsibility. He demanded that this proxy war be stopped immediately and that the state government press the Centre firmly in this regard.
CM’s Remarks During Ukhrul Visit Termed ‘Irresponsible’
Dhiren took strong exception to remarks attributed to the Chief Minister during his Ukhrul visit, referring to videos circulating on social media in which the Chief Minister allegedly stated: “People said Meeteis cannot enter Kuki areas so they didn’t, but I entered forcefully.”
Dhiren described these remarks as highly irresponsible and unbecoming of a leader, urging the Chief Minister to speak in a manner appropriate to his position.
He also condemned the frequent harassment and ill-treatment of the public by state forces during protests and warned that such conduct must not be repeated. COCOMI, he stated, strongly condemns the behaviour of state forces in this regard.
