IT News
Imphal, Nov 20:
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has suspended its indefinite sit-in protest at Ima Market for seven days, citing assurances from the government. However, the decision has sparked objections from women vendors participating in the agitation.
COCOMI announced that the security forces would launch a mass operation in the hill districts within seven days and that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) would take over the investigation into the killing of six civilians in Jiribam, including rape and murder of abducted women and children. These assurances led to the temporary suspension of the protest, but many demonstrators expressed dissatisfaction with the decision.
Around midnight, as COCOMI leaders communicated their resolution to the press at Ima Market, a heated argument erupted between them and the protesting women. “They made us sit here day and night, but now they say the strike is suspended for seven days. No substantive action has been taken by the state or central government,” said one of the vendors.
Another protester voiced anger over the perceived lack of urgency from the government. “For the two Kuki women assaulted in Imphal, the Centre moved heaven and earth, but for us, there has been no significant response. We want to continue the peaceful strike until we see concrete action,” she said.
“We have taken part in many movements led by them; multiple times they have done these sorts of things. We lack trust on them,” one stated. Another women vendor asks, “Do they think of us as insects?”
Following the announcement, tensions escalated and COCOMI leaders after some altercation with the women folk fled the area quietly amid the chaos, leaving many protesters frustrated and feeling betrayed. Immediately, Manipur Police intervened, dismantling the protest site and dispersing the remaining demonstrators.
