The Manipur People’s Convention’ organized by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) at Khuman Lampak received a wide response from the public, with over 1000 people from various walks of life participating in the convention, braving the sun on Saturday.
Since the wee hours of the morning, the streets wore a deserted look with security beefed up in every part of Imphal by both paramilitary forces.
Irom Abung, an IDP from Churachandpur attending the convention and now living in the Kwakta Relief Camp, said, “We never imagined we’d still be displaced two years later. This crisis has disrupted lives, hurt the economy, and fractured our society.”
COCOMI Convenor Khuraijam Athouba called the event a landmark moment. “Nineteen speakers from across Manipur gave strong, actionable suggestions. We’ve adopted key resolutions and will push them to the Government of India,” he stated. He cautioned that if the Centre fails to respond, mass agitations will follow.
Athouba emphasized that the integrity and political identity of Manipur cannot be compromised. He also condemned the Union Home Minister’s recent statement labeling the crisis as a mere communal issue, alleging instead that it is a “proxy war” fueled by Chin-Kuki narco-terrorist groups protected under the Suspension of Operation pact since 2008.
