The Meitei apex body calls for transparency in disarmament, extending arms confiscation efforts to illegal weapons allegedly used by Kuki armed groups under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.
BY PC Bureau
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), the apex body representing the Meitei community, has urged Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to engage in formal discussions with local youth leaders before initiating the recovery of arms from civilian volunteers. The committee emphasized the need for a cooperative approach, warning against any hasty or forceful actions that could escalate tensions.
COCOMI also appealed for legal immunity for civilian volunteers who were compelled to take up arms in defense of their communities. According to Laikhuram Jayanta, Convenor of Information and Public Relations, the return of looted weapons is a necessary legal step, but authorities must acknowledge the circumstances that led young people to arm themselves.
“This crisis was born out of the failure of government security forces to protect vulnerable villages during the peak of the violence,” Jayanta stated. He also warned that the ongoing presence of armed Chin-Kuki militant groups, operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the central government, continues to pose a significant security threat.
COCOMI criticized the seven-day deadline for arms surrender, arguing that it does not allow sufficient time for meaningful engagement with the public and stakeholders. Jayanta also condemned the actions of central security forces, which allegedly launched crackdowns in valley areas before the official deadline, violating the Governor’s directives and raising concerns within the community.
On Friday, security forces detained 26 cadres of the Meitei radical group Arambai Tengol during a massive crackdown but later released them after verifying their identities. This action, according to COCOMI, has further fueled public mistrust.
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“Why are central forces not adhering to the Governor’s instructions? Why are they displaying hostility towards local youth instead of following the official directive?” Jayanta questioned, expressing concerns over the growing distrust between security forces and the community.
COCOMI further demanded that arms recovery efforts should not be limited to looted weapons alone but must also extend to illegal arms smuggled across the border and allegedly used by Kuki armed groups under the SoO agreement. The committee called for transparency in reporting confiscated weapons from hill areas to ensure fairness in the disarmament process.
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Additionally, COCOMI urged the relocation of all armed Kuki militant camps under the SoO agreement to restore law and order in Manipur. The committee stressed the need for a comprehensive security plan to protect villages, reassure residents, and guarantee that no further attacks take place.
“The government must present a concrete, foolproof strategy to secure our villages, ensure the safety of civilians and volunteers, and prevent any future violence,” COCOMI stated.
