CCSK slams disruption of April 25 rally, alleges orchestrated attempt to undermine public movement

The Committee of Civil Societies Kangleipak (CCSK) has issued a strong condemnation over what it described as a deliberate attempt to sabotage a public rally held in Imphal on April 25, warning of a dangerous pattern aimed at weakening democratic expression in the state.
In a statement, CCSK said that at a time when Manipur continues to reel under uncertainty, fear and prolonged hardship, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has been spearheading a series of agitations and demonstrations to mobilise public opinion and pressurise authorities into taking decisive action on the ongoing crisis.
The rally, held under the banner “Leingakta Meeyamgi Wahang Khongchat” (Peoples’ rally posing questions to the government), witnessed participation from local clubs and Meira Paibi groups across the state. A seven-point memorandum was submitted during the programme, seeking accountability and concrete responses from the government.
However, CCSK alleged that the rally was targeted by coordinated efforts to derail it. The statement claimed that certain individuals, including social media influencers, were mobilised to discourage public participation and spread confusion around the initiative, raising serious concerns over the role of organised misinformation.
The organisation also flagged an alleged incident involving Mayengbam Somorjit Meitei, a former president of Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) and a component of COCOMI. He was reportedly picked up from the Keithel area and subjected to an attempted assault. CCSK described the act as “unacceptable” and a direct attack on democratic participation.
Escalating its criticism, CCSK questioned whether the disruptions were part of a coordinated attempt to discredit the movement and weaken its impact. It also pointed to the possibility of vested interests and organised groups working behind the scenes to distort public perception through false narratives.
The statement further raised alarm over reports that unidentified groups, described as an unorganised mob, were mobilised without accountability. Particular concern was expressed over allegations that women participants were caught in the confrontation and subjected to intimidation, which CCSK termed as deeply disturbing.