IT News
Imphal, Jan 21:
Somorendro Thokchom, the president of the League of Indigenous People Upliftment (LIPUN) has been appointed as the new Coordinator of the COCOMI (Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity), as the new Coordinator after the tenure of the former Coordinator, Jeetendra Ningombam, has completed.
Jeetendra Ningombam handed over the charge of Coordinator of COCOMI to Somorendra Thokchom in a simple function held at its office. Speaking to reporters, Jeetendra recounted the various complicated issues that COCOMI faced in trying to work for the people and protect the political boundary of the state.
“COCOMI is a conglomerate of various civil society organizations that have been working for the welfare of the state and the rights of the citizens of Manipur,” Jeetendra said, adding that the term for Coordinator of COCOMI is one year, but under certain circumstances, it can be extended for a few days or weeks.
The Coordinator of COCOMI is selected from among the component organizations on a rotation basis. “Today, as I have completed my tenure, I have handed over the charge of Coordinator to LIPUN President Somorendro Thokchom.
Assuring the gathering, Somorendra said that he will continue the work that COCOMI had started to achieve its goals. Before taking charge as the Coordinator of COCOMI, Somorendro Thokchom had been associated with the committee as the media and publicity secretary.
The new coordinator, Somorendro, while speaking to reporters, said that COCOMI has been struggling to ensure that the people of the state receive equal rights. COCOMI has been advocating for human rights and political rights for the people of the state.
“COCOMI has been urging the Government of India to treat the people of Manipur as citizens of India, providing equal rights under equal law,” Somorendra said, adding that the silence of the central forces deployed here in large numbers when militants attack the state security forces at Moreh and other places shows that what we have been shouting since the formation of COCOMI has been proven right.
Somorendra further stated that COCOMI will work according to the wishes of the people in consultation with the component organizations of COCOMI. However, he expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of unity among the legislators at this difficult time. As the new coordinator of COCOMI, he appealed to the legislators to come together and find a solution to the ongoing crisis. He added that COCOMI will support any decision to drive out illegal immigrants who are warring against the state.