COCOMI's 'Final Questioning of the Government' rally drew hundreds across multiple routes in Imphal on Saturday, April 26. A six-member team submitted a seven-point memorandum to the CM demanding answers on Tronglaobi killings, TM Kasom attack, CRPF accountability, IDP rehabilitation, SoO abrogation
IMPHAL – Hundreds of people responded to the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity's (COCOMI) call for a 'Final Questioning of the Government' rally on Saturday, April 26, marching through multiple routes across Imphal in a show of organised public pressure on the state administration. The main rally, led by COCOMI convenor YK Dhiren, commenced from COCOMI's office at Lamphelpat and wound its way through Lamphel Keithel, RIMS Road, Thangal Keithel, and Khwairamband Keithel before arriving at the traffic island in front of the western gate of Kangla. Mothers of Khwairamband Keithel joined the march en route.
Simultaneously, separate rallies were organised from Tiddim Ground and Mayai Lambi, with protesters holding placards and raising slogans including 'We Want Justice.' These rallies, which commenced around 1:00 p.m., converged at the Keishampat traffic point, where they were intercepted by security forces. Additional rallies were also organised by groups including NONGPAL, Meira Paibi Lups, and local clubs in areas including New Checkon, Nongmeibung, and Wangkhei, heading toward Palace Gate. Participants included members from the Meetei Pangal, Kabui, Meetei, and other communities. Similar protests were also reported in the Khurai Lamlong area, with reports of some arrests.
A six-member COCOMI team submitted a seven-point memorandum to the Chief Minister through the Joint Secretary at the CM Secretariat. The memorandum, signed by COCOMI convenor YK Dhiren, posed the following questions directly to the state government: whether it lacked the resolve to stand against what COCOMI described as a proxy war being orchestrated by the Government of India to annihilate the indigenous population; whether justice would be delayed or denied in connection with the Tronglaobi and TM Kasom village attacks; whether no judicial inquiry or action would be taken against the CRPF personnel who shot and killed civilians at Tronglaobi; whether no concrete action would be taken to rehabilitate and resettle internally displaced persons (IDPs) within a stipulated timeframe; whether the government would not abrogate the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement; and whether no action would be taken to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and remove illegal immigrants.
The memorandum also demanded that the government explain its reasons for failing to safeguard basic human rights, for its continued disregard of the cries of the people — particularly those who have lost their homes and families — and for the CM's sustained silence and refusal to take administrative action. The memorandum stated: "These are not simple questions, but a sign that the people no longer have the patience or tolerance of the government's wilfulness. Any further ignorance of the issue would only invite intense and never-ending protests. As such, all consequences resulting from such an uncontrollable situation would be the responsibility of the central and state governments."
At the Keishampat traffic point, 11 representatives from the Tiddim Ground rally and four from the Mayai Lambi rally were selected and taken to the CM's office in police vehicles. Similarly, at Palace Gate, while permission was initially granted for 32 representatives to meet the CM, the number was eventually reduced, leading to a brief standoff before 10 representatives — including two internally displaced persons and members from different communities and organisations — were allowed in.
After the meetings, representatives briefed the waiting crowds. According to the representatives, the CM responded to each of the seven questions but stated that he did not have the authority to decide on certain matters and emphasised the need for dialogue to reach a resolution. The CM reportedly accepted some points while expressing reservations on others. Representatives urged him to accept all demands. The crowds, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the CM's responses and grew agitated. Sections of the protesters allegedly resorted to stone pelting and the use of slingshots at Palace Gate, prompting security forces to fire tear gas shells and smoke bombs to disperse the gathering. Four women were injured in the process and were taken to nearby hospitals. A police Tata Sumo was also damaged during the unrest. At the Keishampat traffic point, protesters also allegedly resorted to stone pelting after growing frustrated with the delay in the representatives' return, and police again used tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.
An incident of violence against an individual alleged to be a COCOMI member occurred near Keithel No. 1 on Saturday. As crowds from the Uripok side, who had arrived separately attempting to enter the Secretariat and were turned away from BT Park, made their way back, they encountered a man being assaulted by some persons in the market area. The alleged COCOMI member, identified as Mayengbam Somorjit, was beaten by the mob and subsequently taken to Raj Medicity for treatment. Manipur Police personnel were present at the scene.
The Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) subsequently uploaded a post on its official WhatsApp group stating that Mayengbam Somorjit is not related to COCOMI. The assertion added a further layer of uncertainty and contestation around the incident.
Following the day's events, COCOMI convenor YK Dhiren held a press briefing at the COCOMI office in Lamphel, alleging that certain individuals are attempting to mislead the ongoing public movement and distort its objectives. Dhiren clarified that the memorandum had been submitted at the CM Secretariat's receipt section and that the team had not met the Chief Minister in person — a decision he said was in line with COCOMI's stated position of not engaging in direct talks with the government until clear responses to the seven questions are provided. He reiterated that the movement will continue until the government gives clear and satisfactory answers.
Dhiren also directly addressed what he described as baseless allegations levelled against COCOMI leaders after the submission, including accusations of corruption and claims that members had gone into hiding. He stated that such claims were unfounded and intended to create confusion among the public. He further condemned the physical assault on a COCOMI member, calling it a deliberate attempt to create mistrust, disrupt the unity of the movement, and misrepresent the people's agitation. Dhiren added that COCOMI is working to identify those involved in such activities and appealed to the public to remain vigilant and help identify individuals attempting to mislead the movement so that appropriate collective action can be taken.
