COCOMI highlights that Foreign Policy has ranked the Manipur conflict among the world’s top 10 most alarming crises. The group urges the Indian government to acknowledge the geopolitical and narco-terrorism dimensions of the issue before it spirals further out of control.
BY PC Bureau
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has expressed deep concern over recent reports exposing a secret underground tunnel along the Myanmar-India border, allegedly used for drug smuggling into Indian territories (News18 and The People’s Chronicle, January 25, 2025).
“This revelation poses a serious threat to India’s national security, particularly to the vulnerable Northeastern region and its indigenous population,” COCOMI stated. It added that Manipur’s indigenous people have long suspected the involvement of external and internal forces in enabling such illicit activities.
The tunnel, reportedly large enough to accommodate heavy vehicles, is located along the Myanmar-Mizoram border. COCOMI warned that the scale and sophistication of this operation suggest the involvement of powerful actors, including influential entities in Mizoram and Myanmar’s Chin State. “This cannot be dismissed as the work of ordinary drug smugglers,” the statement emphasized.
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Allegations of a Larger Conspiracy
COCOMI expressed particular concern over reports that certain groups in Mizoram are colluding with U.S.-backed Chin groups to establish a Christian state, “Zo-land,” spanning parts of India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. “This raises serious questions about the intent and activities of those in power in the region,” it added.
Demand for Action Against Narco-Terrorism
COCOMI called on the Government of India to declare a “Narco-Terrorist Emergency” in the Northeast and take aggressive, transparent steps to combat rising narco-terrorism. The group accused successive Indian governments of neglecting these security threats, which, they argued, has emboldened perpetrators and endangered regional stability.
“The government must prioritize the fight against narco-terrorism, which is fueling political instability and worsening the ongoing crisis in Manipur,” the statement read. It warned that growing drug and arms smuggling in conflict zones is a direct consequence of a weak and unresponsive security framework. “A transparent and robust security policy must be urgently developed and implemented to prevent further destabilization.”
Manipur’s Global Recognition as a Conflict Zone
COCOMI also cited a recent Foreign Policy report listing the Manipur crisis among the world’s top 10 most alarming conflicts. “This international recognition underscores the issue’s geopolitical dimensions and its potential to escalate beyond India’s borders,” it said, warning that failure to act decisively could turn Manipur into a flashpoint for regional instability.
A Warning to the Indian Government
COCOMI issued a clear warning to the Government of India: “Continued neglect of the Manipur crisis and its narco-terrorism activities will have serious consequences.” It cautioned that international scrutiny will mount if the situation is not addressed with urgency and clarity. “The indigenous people of Manipur will hold the government fully accountable for any further deterioration.”
Key Demands from COCOMI
COCOMI has put forward the following urgent demands:
- A transparent and time-bound security and resolution policy from the central and state governments.
- A thorough investigation into the involvement of influential individuals and entities in Manipur, Mizoram, and Chin State in narco-terrorism.
- Immediate dismantling of the underground tunnel and all infrastructure linked to drug smuggling and illegal arms trafficking.
- Official acknowledgment from the Government of India and the Manipur State Government of the geopolitical and narco-terrorism dimensions of the crisis.
COCOMI also rejected claims by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Minister Kiren Rijiju that the Manipur crisis is merely an ethnic conflict. “This is a complex issue deeply intertwined with narco-terrorism and broader geopolitical forces,” it stated.
The group urged the government to act decisively and transparently before the crisis spirals further out of control. “Failure to act will not only destabilize the region but also tarnish India’s reputation on the global stage,” COCOMI warned.
