The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) today demanded an immediate military crackdown against armed groups and the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, holding the government responsible for its failure to protect civilians following the killing of three firewood collectors near Nongshum and Khongbal Thangkhul along the Imphal East–Kangpokpi district boundary.
Condemning the attack, COCOMI convenor YK Dhiren pointed fingers at Kuki militants operating under the SoO arrangement, alleging their involvement in the killings and questioning how armed assailants could attack civilians despite the presence of Central security forces, including the Assam Rifles, in the area.
Addressing to media persons at the committee’s office in Imphal, Dhiren accused the government of repeatedly claiming that peace and free movement had been restored in Manipur while civilians continued to face deadly attacks.
He questioned the credibility of assurances about normalcy when people collecting firewood could be shot dead in a vulnerable border area despite the deployment of security forces. He said the government must be held accountable for failing to ensure the safety of citizens.
Dhiren also alleged repeated violations of the ground rules of the SoO agreement and demanded its abrogation, along with effective action to disarm armed groups. He maintained that continued reliance on assurances of peace, without concrete action against armed violence, would do little to restore public confidence.
The COCOMI convenor warned that public frustration was growing and said people could be compelled to take responsibility for their own security if the government failed to protect them.
COCOMI also condemned the violence at Khangabok on Sunday evening, where Laishram Rakesh was killed during clashes at a musical programme. The committee cited the two incidents as further evidence of the continuing threat to civilian safety.