IMPHAL, Jan 12: Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) on Monday said that governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has denied the existence of “buffer zones” in the state.

COCOMI Convenor Khuraijam Athouba made the statement after meeting Bhalla and other officials at the Lok Bhavan following a protest rally march by displaced persons demanding government’s response on resettlement of displaced persons.

Khuraijam told demonstrators “five membrts of COCOMI and six representatives of IDPs held a meeting with Governor, chief secretary and Commissioner (Home). We put our demands of the resettlement and hardships faced by the IDPs. We asked the governor if it was appropriate not to provide any response to our earlier demand as the guardian and authority of the state.”

He said “governor assured us that tomorrow (Tuesday), a written statement would be provided detailing all the requirements.”

Khuraijam also said during the meeting the Bhalla denied the existence of the often pointed “buffer zones” separating Meitei and Kuki areas.

Khuraijam said “as to the oftenly pointed buffer zones, hon’ble governor said there is no buffer zone. Governor also said this has been pointed out by the DGP to concerned people talking about buffer zones. We told him that usage of terms like buffer zones consistently provokes the people as it implies breaking up the state. We had told him that the government must give a statement on this.”

“We must all accept there are no buffer zones in Manipur and actions must be taken up against anyone bringing out the issue” Khuraijam added.

(By Our Correspondent)