A sea of people thronged the streets of Imphal on Saturday as lakhs of men and women joined the COCOMI-led Manipur Kanba Khongchat (“Save Manipur Rally”) to voice concerns over the integrity and future of Manipur.
The mass rally, organised by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), commenced around 10 a.m. from Kwakeithal Tiddim Ground in Imphal West and proceeded along Tiddim Road to Keishampat Junction. The procession further passed through Waheng Leikai Road, Nagamapan Road, Khuyathong Traffic Point, and Thangmeiband Road before culminating at Thangmeiband THAU Ground.
Participants included youth, students, women, and members of various civil society organisations, carrying placards with messages such as “No Compromise on Manipur Integrity.”
Addressing the media on the sidelines of the rally, COCOMI Advisor Khuraijam Athouba said the massive public turnout reflected widespread dissatisfaction with the Government of India’s handling of the ongoing crisis in Manipur. He alleged that the crisis was not a natural ethnic conflict but the result of policy failures and a prolonged lack of decisive action.
Athouba expressed concern over the prolonged displacement of thousands of internally displaced persons and alleged human rights violations, calling for the immediate restoration of constitutional and democratic processes in the state. He urged the Centre to revise its policy approach towards Manipur and ensure that the territorial integrity of the state remains intact.
A public meeting was held at the concluding venue, where several leaders and representatives addressed the gathering, reiterating the demand for peace, security, and the protection of Manipur’s integrity.
