Will the Meitei Apex Body Address Manipur's Issues with MHA Officials?

Imphal, May 26 (NationPress) The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), which represents the Meitei community, is scheduled to convene with officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi on May 27. The primary agenda of this meeting is to deliberate on the current state of affairs in Manipur and articulate their demands.

Laikhuram Jayenta, the Convenor of the COCOMI publicity committee, stated on Sunday that the forthcoming meeting in New Delhi is intended to follow up on the resolutions established during the Manipur People's Convention, which took place on May 3, 2025, at Khuman Lampak in Imphal.

A delegation of seven members, headed by COCOMI Convenor Khuraijam Athouba, will represent the interests of the people of Manipur during the MHA discussions.

COCOMI had previously organized a public convention to mark two years of ethnic violence on May 3, 2025, resulting in a shutdown across the valley region, affecting six districts.

The organization has been vocal in demanding the restoration of peace in Manipur and accountability for the Kuki militant outfit.

They have also expressed strong opposition to the proposal for establishing separate administrations for Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribal organizations, equivalent to a Union Territory.

Repeatedly, both the central and state governments have dismissed the demands from the Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribal groups.

Additionally, the issue also raises concerns involving 10 MLAs who belong to the Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribal community.

Following a 48-hour shutdown, COCOMI has launched a second phase of their agitation starting Sunday, prompted by the removal of Manipur's name from a government bus on May 20.

On Saturday, COCOMI announced a series of escalated protests, including daily gherao at the main entrance of the Governor's bungalow starting Sunday.

The Convenor stated that the organization has decided to intensify protests as their demand for a public apology from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla regarding the May 20 incident in Gwaltabi remains unaddressed.

Moreover, COCOMI is calling for the resignation of Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, and Director General of Police Rajiv Singh, holding them accountable for failing to maintain the dignity and integrity of Manipur.

The 48-hour COCOMI-sponsored shutdown significantly disrupted daily life across five to six districts in the valley from Wednesday midnight to Friday midnight.

The issue was ignited when a media team, on its way to cover the opening ceremony of the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district on May 20, was compelled to turn back to Imphal, allegedly due to security personnel blocking their bus at Gwaltabi in the Imphal East district.

The All Manipur Working Journalists' Union and the Editors Guild Manipur jointly addressed a letter to Governor Bhalla, stating that security personnel instructed the media team to conceal the Manipur State Transport Corporation signage from the front of the bus carrying 20 journalists and some officials from the Information Department.

This incident has spurred protests from various political parties, leaders, and organizations.

In light of the Shirui Lily Festival, which is set to run from May 20 to 24, the Manipur government has implemented extensive security measures following reported threats against the Meitei community regarding their entry into Kuki tribal areas during the festival.

The Shirui Lily Festival, primarily organized by the Meitei community, is a celebration of the state flower, the Shirui Lily.