In a sharply worded statement, the Kuki-Zo Council accuses COCOMI of misleading the Meitei public and urges the group to engage in rational, inclusive dialogue.
May 27, 2025:
The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has issued a formal statement commending the Honourable Governor of Manipur for his consistent and sincere efforts in fostering dialogue and promoting peace amidst the ongoing ethnic unrest in the state. In the statement released on Tuesday, the council highlighted the Governor’s outreach and reconciliation attempts as a beacon of hope for many in the deeply divided region.
Describing the Governor’s actions as “commendable,” the council acknowledged his commitment to bridging community divides at a time when ethnic tensions have significantly strained inter-community relations across Manipur. “The Governor’s outreach and commitment to fostering understanding and reconciliation between communities have been a beacon of hope for many,” the council noted.
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However, the Kuki-Zo Council did not hold back in criticizing the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a Meitei civil society umbrella organization. The council alleged that COCOMI is politically motivated and accused it of misleading the Meitei public while launching unwarranted attacks on the impartiality of the Governor. In a pointed remark, the council said, “Let COCOMI come out of their COCOON to see things rationally.”
Praise for State’s Handling of the Shirui Lily Festival
The Kuki-Zo Council also extended its appreciation to the state government for its management of the recently concluded Shirui Lily Festival. Specifically, it praised the administration’s sensitive handling of the Manipur State Transport (MST) system, which played a crucial role in preventing potential confrontations amidst the ongoing ethnic conflict.
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“The thoughtful arrangement helped avoid potential confrontations… and is a testament to the administration’s sensitivity to the ground realities,” the statement read, adding that such gestures promote cultural engagement and help maintain a fragile sense of normalcy.
Manipur Governor Airlifted Amid COCOMI-Led Protests and Human Chains https://t.co/JNQLUlUFmq #ManipurProtests #IdentityMatters #COCOMI #ImphalUnrest #GovernorAirlifted
— Navin Upadhyay (@Navinupadhya) May 26, 2025
In its concluding remarks, the Kuki-Zo Council urged the state and central governments to continue implementing similar confidence-building measures. It emphasized the need for inclusive governance and stressed that lasting peace can only be achieved when every community’s concerns are acknowledged with dignity and fairness.
“The Kuki-Zo Council believes that peace is possible when all voices are heard and when every community’s concerns and aspirations are acknowledged with dignity and fairness,” the statement concluded.
As tensions continue to simmer in Manipur, the contrasting positions of key stakeholders like the Kuki-Zo Council and COCOMI highlight the complexities involved in resolving the ongoing conflict. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether recent outreach efforts will help steer the state towards a more inclusive and peaceful path.
