The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) today held a “Manipur People’s Convention” at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound, marking three years of the ongoing crisis and adopting a set of resolutions focusing on accountability, justice and rehabilitation.
The convention, attended by representatives of civil society organisations, community leaders, intellectuals and internally displaced persons (IDPs), placed its resolutions at the centre of deliberations.
The assembly first reaffirmed resolutions adopted since May 3, 2023 and authorised COCOMI leadership to intensify democratic forms of agitation while pressing for their implementation. It strongly condemned incidents of violence at Tronglaobi and T.M. Kasom villages and urged authorities to identify and take legal action against those responsible at the earliest. It also called for a judicial inquiry into the killing of three civilians allegedly involving personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force.
Expressing concern over what it described as continued threats to civilian safety, the convention resolved to continue and intensify ongoing movements led by COCOMI through more effective democratic means.
The gathering further resolved to observe May 3 annually as “Anti-Narco-Terrorism Day” to raise awareness on the global impact of narco-related activities and their implications for governance and security. It also proposed that the matter be brought to international attention, including urging relevant authorities of the United Nations to consider recognising the day at a global level.
Among its key demands, the convention urged the Manipur government to press the Centre to end what it termed as a “proxy war” against the indigenous people of the state. It called for measures to curb narco-related activities, ensure justice in incidents such as those at Tronglaobi and T.M. Kasom, and for accountability in the killing of three civilians. The assembly also urged both the Centre and the State government to take time-bound steps for the resettlement of internally displaced persons.
The convention authorised COCOMI leadership to engage with the Chief Minister and Central authorities at appropriate forums to convey the concerns of the people and pursue necessary interventions.
The programme deliberated on the prolonged crisis since May 3, 2023 and its impact on the population. It was chaired by COCOMI Convenor Y.K. Dhiren and moderated by Retd. Head, Political Science, Imphal College AK. Sethajit.