IMPHAL, Nov 25: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) on Tuesday denounced two legislators — Thongam Biswajit Singh (Thongju) and Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh (Nambol) — declaring them “enemies of the people” for attending the inaugural ceremony of the Sangai Festival despite widespread public objections and protests.

In a statement issued by Laikhuram Jayenta, Convenor of COCOMI’s IPR Sub-Committee, the organisation said people across Manipur held demonstrations on November 21 urging the government to suspend festivities in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the suffering of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Several protesters reportedly sustained injuries as police used force to disperse crowds.

COCOMI accused the state government of pushing ahead with the festival “by suppressing public voices” and criticised the two MLAs for “openly defying the collective sentiment of the people.” The committee urged residents of Thongju and Nambol to reassess the conduct of their elected representatives, stating that the lawmakers’ participation “amounted to challenging the will of the people.”

The organisation warned that when leaders act in opposition to public suffering, democratic values erode and “authoritarian tendencies begin to take root.” COCOMI also praised activist Rohan Philem for confronting the MLAs at the venue, saying his actions resonated widely with the public.

Reiterating its stand, COCOMI appealed to the people of Manipur to recognise the actions of the two MLAs as “disregard for public sentiment and the plight of IDPs.” It also urged the public to reflect on how this message should be communicated to national leadership.

COCOMI affirmed that it will continue to uphold the collective voice of the people and stand firmly on issues concerning Manipur’s current crisis.