A storm of criticism erupted in Imphal today as civil society leaders, academics, and media professionals came together at a public review meeting to dissect the Independent People’s Tribunal Report of the PUCL, Delhi.
Organised by COCOMI at Hotel Imphal’s Shiroy Hall, the gathering accused the Tribunal of peddling “distortions and partisan biases” aimed at maligning the Meetei community.
Presided over by COCOMI Convenor Khuraijam Athouba and moderated by noted economist Prof. Ch. Priyoranjan, the review panel featured scholars and journalists including Dr. Homen Thangjam, Dr. Malem Ningthouja, Dr. Noni Arambam, Yumnam Rupachandra, and Sadokpam Dhiren Ambrose.
The speakers slammed the Tribunal for branding the entire Meetei population as “anti-India,” misrepresenting judicial orders, and selectively portraying violence while ignoring the role of armed Kuki groups.
They alleged that the Report recycled discredited sources and aligned itself with separatist propaganda, warning that such narratives threaten to destabilize Manipur and vilify its people on national and global platforms.
In response, the meeting resolved to form a Working Group under COCOMI to prepare a counter-report, recommend accountability measures against those spreading “falsehoods,” and even pursue FIRs under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against PUCL members for inflammatory reporting.
The review concluded with a call for responsible documentation of facts to protect the dignity of Manipuri communities and uphold peace and justice in the state.
