IMPHAL, Jan 20: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has called upon the people of Manipur to raise their voices against what it described as policies of the Government of India that threaten the integrity and peace of the state.

Addressing the media, newly elected COCOMI convenor YK Dhiren said a mass public rally would be organised on January 31, as announced earlier, and appealed to people from all sections of society to participate in large numbers and stand united.

Dhiren alleged that the Centre was pursuing a deliberate strategy to destabilise Manipur, claiming that “Kuki narco-terrorist elements” were being used to target the Meitei community and create chaos in the state. He asserted that the growing hostility among different communities was not organic, but part of a larger plan, and said peace in Manipur was being systematically undermined through such policies.

According to Dhiren, the proposed rally is aimed at protecting the land and people of Manipur and safeguarding the fundamental rights of its citizens. He said the rally would begin from THAU Ground at Thangmeiband and culminate in a public meeting at Khuman Lampak.

Appealing for widespread participation, the COCOMI convenor urged people to suspend their day’s work and join the rally in the interest of the state. He also called upon transporters, members of the business community, medical professionals, government and private employees, clubs and civil society organisations to extend support in all forms to ensure the success of the rally, stressing that collective action was necessary to restore peace and unity in Manipur.