IMPHAL, March 4: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has strongly condemned the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) for its March 3 statement, calling it provocative, unconstitutional, and a direct challenge to the Indian government’s authority. COCOMI has urged the Union government to take immediate legal action against COTU for threatening national unity, law and order, and the country’s sovereignty.

In its press release, COCOMI described COTU’s “Unbreakable Declaration of the Kuki-Zo Community” as a secessionist manifesto that incites unrest, promotes illegal blockade tactics, and defies India’s democratic and constitutional framework. COCOMI emphasized that no entity or community has the legal right to restrict citizens’ movement within Indian territory.

COTU had earlier declared that “no free movement shall be permitted in Kuki-Zo land” and warned that “no Kuki-Zo volunteer shall be arrested”, threatening consequences for any such actions. COCOMI labeled these statements as an outright challenge to the rule of law, asserting that demanding impunity for individuals engaging in disruptive activities must be met with strict legal consequences.

COCOMI further accused COTU of encouraging violence and intimidation, stating that their demand for a Union Territory with a legislature as “FINAL” and “non-negotiable” contradicts democratic principles. It argued that COTU’s call for “No Peace Before Separation” exposes their role in perpetuating violence and proves that the ongoing conflict in Manipur since May 3, 2023, has been premeditated and orchestrated by COTU to push its political agenda.

COCOMI called on the Union Home Minister and the Government to take immediate and decisive legal action against COTU for openly challenging the sovereignty of the nation.