COCOMI announces an October 31 mega rally in Imphal, demanding abrogation of the SoO agreement, accountability over civilian killings and stronger measures to address Manipur’s continuing conflict.
Imphal, Oct. 22: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has announced a joint public rally on October 31, calling for the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement and demanding accountability from the authorities over the continuing violence and recent killings of civilians in Manipur.
The announcement was made by COCOMI convenor YK Dhiren during a sit-in protest held on Thursday outside the United Committee Manipur office at Lamphelpat, Imphal. The proposed rally is intended to bring together members of Meetei and indigenous communities as part of a broader campaign against the SoO agreement and what COCOMI describes as a “proxy war” in Manipur.
The October 31 mobilisation is centred on COCOMI’s demand that the government revoke the SoO agreement, which concerns arrangements between the government and certain armed groups in the region.
The committee has argued that the existing arrangement has failed to ensure civilian safety and prevent further violence. It has called on the state and central governments to take concrete measures to protect vulnerable areas, establish accountability for attacks and address the continuing security crisis.
COCOMI’s position comes amid renewed criticism of the government’s handling of the conflict following the killing of three civilians who had reportedly gone to collect firewood near the Nongshum–Khongbal area along the Imphal East–Kangpokpi boundary.
Dhiren alleged that Kuki militants were responsible for the killings and said three other people were injured. He called on both governments to ensure justice for the victims and take effective steps to prevent further attacks.
The sit-in protest at Lamphelpat also marked the launch of a broader campaign against the SoO agreement and the continuing conflict, according to the October 22 report.
Addressing the protesters, Dhiren criticised the government’s handling of the situation, arguing that repeated assurances of peace had not prevented further attacks on civilians. He called for stronger measures to restore security and protect people living in vulnerable areas.
Amana Thaimai, co-convenor of the North Hills Autonomous Council Movement (NHACM), said indigenous communities had endured more than three years of conflict and alleged that the situation had continued to deteriorate.
Thaimai urged the state government to take concrete steps to resolve the crisis within the stipulated deadline. She warned that the organisations would intensify their agitation from October 31 if their demands were not met.
The rally announcement follows renewed public concern over civilian safety after recent incidents of violence. On October 19, COCOMI separately demanded the abrogation of the SoO agreement and stronger action against armed groups following the killing of three firewood collectors. The committee accused the government of failing to protect civilians and questioned the effectiveness of existing security arrangements.
COCOMI has previously organised large public demonstrations around Manipur’s territorial and administrative integrity, the resettlement of internally displaced people and the need to restore free movement on national highways. Its January 31 rally, held under the banner “Manipur Kanba Khongchat” or “Save Manipur Rally”, drew thousands of participants, according to reports published at the time.
