IT News
Imphal, Nov 27:
Volunteers of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) resume their agitation today by locking several government offices across Imphal West and Imphal East districts. Among the offices targeted were the Old Secretariat, the Transport Office, the DC Office in Imphal West, and the Forest Department and SDO Office in Porompat, Imphal East.
Around 1 PM, a significant number of COCOMI volunteers, including members of its student wing, arrived at the Old Secretariat. Despite the presence of a large police contingent, they proceeded to close and lock the office gates after a heated exchange. Meanwhile, the New Secretariat office was already locked from the inside before the volunteers reached the premises. No unwanted incident was reported during the agitation.
Speaking to the media, COCOMI volunteer Ningthoujam Dhanakumar Meitei stated that the agitation was launched because the seven-day ultimatum given to the government had expired. He explained that while COCOMI had temporarily suspended its protests to allow the government time to act on its demands, no concrete action had been taken. The demands include the prosecution of those responsible for the recent killings of innocent women and children in Jiribam and other areas.
On Tuesday, COCOMI announced a complete shutdown of state and central government offices in Manipur. COCOMI coordinator Thokchom Somorendro clarified that the government had failed to address critical issues outlined in their ultimatum. These include reviewing the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in six police station jurisdictions, identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators of the Jiribam massacre, and officially declaring the armed group involved as a terrorist organization.
Somorendro highlighted that during a ruling party meeting on November 18, it was resolved to address these urgent concerns. However, with no tangible progress made, COCOMI resumed its agitation. He also referenced a statement from the Chief Minister, who had previously assured that in case the government failed to act, he and the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) would lead efforts to protect the state. Somorendro urged the Chief Minister and MLAs to honour this commitment and take decisive leadership in the ongoing struggle.
