Meitei Community Appeals to Manipur Governor for Swift Government Formation to Address Ethnic Tensions

Imphal, Feb 17 (NationPress) The apex body of the Meitei community, known as the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), which previously voiced strong opposition to the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur, has now called upon the Governor to swiftly establish a new government to address the ethnic crisis.

On Monday, a seven-member delegation from COCOMI met with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, requesting him to form a duly elected government within this month to facilitate democratic governance and effective decision-making.

The memorandum submitted to the Governor at the Raj Bhavan stated, "Once a new government is in place, a full Assembly session should be convened to address the crisis and develop the necessary legal and administrative measures for resolution. Immediate actions must be taken to ensure security and provide necessary amnesty for all affected villages and their civilian village defence forces to protect them from ongoing violence."

The COCOMI delegation, headed by Khuraijam Athoubam, informed the Governor that when the Manipur government initiated the "War on Drugs," conducted anti-poppy operations, and identified and removed illegal villages and immigrants—mostly from Myanmar—it faced significant pushback from the impacted community, leading to conflict situations that have spurred demands for a separate administration in the form of a Union Territory with a legislature.

According to the COCOMI memorandum, "It is clear that amidst the current law and order crisis in Manipur, the Meetei group lacks a specific agenda or goal in this conflict. Instead, the crisis seems to be fueled by those advocating for separate administration."

The memorandum outlines 13 key demands, including the need for a comprehensive initiative to identify, dismantle, and remove all illegal villages that have emerged across the state, jeopardizing its demographic and environmental integrity. Additionally, all violent activities and unauthorized movements of armed groups must be completely halted to ensure peace and stability.

As per the COCOMI memorandum, the ongoing crisis, which began on May 3, 2023, is intricately linked to narco-terrorism.

"Extensive illegal opium poppy plantations in Manipur's open hills are shielded by armed Chin-Kuki-Zomi factions. The Indian Army, especially the Assam Rifles, has not acted against this organized crime. A robust declaration of narco-terrorism as a key threat to Manipur’s stability is vital. It is essential to establish a dedicated anti-narco terrorism unit for the northeast."

COCOMI has called for the urgent restoration of law and order across both hills and plains, immediate relief and financial aid for those affected, rebuilding of destroyed villages with sufficient security measures, rehabilitation of displaced individuals, ensuring their safe return to their homes and villages, and providing unrestricted and safe access to healthcare, education, and transport facilities, including secure movement along national highways.

The leading body of the Meitei community also demanded systematic initiatives to identify and deport illegal immigrants residing in both hills and plains. The National Register of Citizens (NRC), fully supported by the indigenous population represented by COCOMI and UNC, must be enforced to avert further demographic exploitation, as stated in the memorandum.