The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) claims the Centre’s decision to impose President’s Rule is a calculated move to weaken the Meitei community and place the state under direct military control. They urge the people to resist what they call a betrayal of democracy.
BY PC Bureau
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an umbrella organization representing Meitei civil societies, has accused the Central government of orchestrating political instability in Manipur to impose President’s Rule and bolster Kuki militants as a counterforce to insurgent groups operating within the state and across the Myanmar border.
Speaking to Power Corridors over the phone, COCOMI Convenor Khuraijam Athouba alleged that the Centre deliberately engineered the current turmoil to justify the imposition of President’s Rule in the state.
“This is part of a conspiracy as it aligns with the longstanding demands of Kuki militants and separatist groups who have advocated for the imposition of AFSPA and President’s Rule in Manipur,” Athouba alleged.
Allegations of Strategic Manipulation
Athouba suggested that the Centre’s backing of the Kuki-Zo community against the Meitei population could be a strategic maneuver aimed at leveraging Kuki militants against other insurgent factions within Manipur, as well as against the Myanmar junta along the border.
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“You must have seen reports of skirmishes involving Kuki militant groups and Myanmar-based insurgent groups. We suspect this is part of the Centre’s game plan,” he said.
On the possibility of the Centre using President’s Rule as a cover to launch a crackdown on insurgent groups, Athouba warned that any such operation must be impartial.
“Any discriminatory action could create more problems than it solves,” he cautioned.
A Blatant Betrayal of Democratic Principles
Expanding on COCOMI’s position, Athouba described the sudden and unjustified imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur as a deliberate attempt by the Centre to push the state further into turmoil.
“Despite the BJP having an absolute majority in the state, the Government of India has imposed President’s Rule, raising serious questions about its true intentions. Instead of addressing real issues, the Centre has chosen to blame the alleged incompetency of its own BJP MLAs.”
COCOMI also criticized the forced resignation of the Chief Minister in the dead of night, just before a crucial assembly session, without any proper explanation to the public.
“This is an outright betrayal of democratic principles. Was this decision taken for the welfare of the people, or was it a calculated move to deepen the crisis?” Athouba asked.
BJP Legislators Accused of Political Betrayal
In a press release issued on Friday, the organization expressed deep concerns over the lack of an alternative leader to ensure a smooth transition of governance, viewing it as an intentional strategy to place Manipur, especially the Meitei community, under direct military control.
COCOMI also condemned the Manipur BJP legislators for failing to propose an alternative leader despite holding a majority in the assembly.
“Their inaction exposes their true intent. They never entered politics for the welfare of the people but for personal gains. Their failure has allowed the Centre to impose President’s Rule under the guise of a leadership crisis.”
According to COCOMI, the BJP leadership’s political maneuvering has effectively placed Manipur at the mercy of external forces, sacrificing the people’s democratic rights for political power.
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“This undemocratic imposition of President’s Rule is unacceptable and goes against the very fabric of the Indian democratic system.”
Demand for Immediate Restoration of Popular Government
COCOMI has issued a strong demand for an immediate and time-bound process to elect a new leader and restore a democratically elected government at the earliest.
“Failure to do so will make every BJP MLA and leader in Manipur directly accountable to the people for their political irresponsibility and betrayal,” Athouba warned.
He further urged the people of Manipur to remain vigilant and united against any attempt to subjugate them under military rule.
“This crisis is not just about leadership—it is about the future of Manipur and the survival of its democratic rights. The people must rise against this injustice and demand the immediate restoration of a legitimate government.”
