IMPHAL, March 21: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), along with various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), has called for immediate action against Chin-Kuki narco-terrorist groups operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement and strongly opposed any delimitation exercise before the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur. The committee raised concerns about the deteriorating situation in the state, accusing the Government of India of failing to address the root causes of the ongoing ethnic crisis.
In a press conference, COCOMI spokesperson Khuraijam Athouba emphasized that without proper identification and deportation of illegal immigrants, any attempt at delimitation would be unjust and harmful to the indigenous population. He pointed to the recent detection of 67,000 bogus voters in the state’s electoral rolls as evidence of demographic manipulation, warning that the delimitation process would only legitimize encroachers and threaten the rights of native communities in Manipur.
In addition to addressing demographic concerns, COCOMI called for a decisive military crackdown on the Chin-Kuki armed groups in the hill areas of the state, which are allegedly thriving on drug money and arms smuggling. These groups, operating under the SoO agreement, have contributed to rising violence and instability in the region, according to COCOMI. Athouba stressed the urgency of removing illegal immigrants from Myanmar, whose unchecked influx since the 1950s has drastically altered Manipur’s demographic balance, fueling ethnic tensions.
The committee also highlighted the need for a robust response to the drug trade, particularly illegal poppy cultivation in the hill areas, which funds insurgency and sustains a parallel economy controlled by armed groups. COCOMI called for the destruction of poppy plantations and strict action against those involved in narcotics trafficking, further demanding the abrogation of the SoO agreement, which they believe has allowed insurgent groups to continue their activities with impunity.
Furthermore, COCOMI condemned the government’s failure to enforce the Union Home Minister’s March 8, 2025, directive on free movement along National Highways. Despite the directive, individuals continue to face restrictions, as seen in the case of two Meitei individuals who were forced to turn back due to security concerns. The committee also expressed alarm over the disappearance of 18-year-old Luwangthem Mukesh from Keishampat, whose last known location was traced to Joujangtek in Churachandpur district.
COCOMI warned that failure to address these pressing issues would escalate the crisis in Manipur, emphasizing that any peace talks or conflict resolution efforts would be futile without first tackling these fundamental problems.
