BY Navin Upadhyay
April 5, 2025
The abrupt rejection of the Union Home Ministry’s much-touted Manipur peace talks by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has laid bare a growing chasm between the BJP leadership in New Delhi and the state’s political strongman, former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. The development, unfolding against a backdrop of escalating tensions, signals a formidable roadblock to the Centre’s efforts to restore stability in the violence-ravaged state.
On Saturday, COCOMI—a powerful Meetei advocacy group with known ties to Biren Singh—dismissed the New Delhi meeting between representatives of the Meetei and Kuki–Zo-Hmar communities as a “stage-managed spectacle.” The organization accused the Home Ministry of peddling a “misleading narrative” that frames the Manipur crisis as a mere ethnic clash, rather than addressing what it claims are the root causes: illegal immigration from Myanmar, narco-terrorism, and secessionist ambitions.
ALSO READ: COCOMI Slams Home Ministry’s ‘Peace Talks’ as Political Farce, Issues Eight Demands
The talks, orchestrated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, were intended to bridge the divide between the warring communities following months of unrest that have claimed numerous lives and displaced thousands. However, COCOMI’s boycott has not only derailed this initiative but also underscored the lingering influence of Biren Singh, who, despite his unceremonious ouster as Chief Minister in February, remains a towering figure in Manipur’s political and social landscape.
COCOMI calls Peace Talks a “Facade” to build on the MHA’s false narrative that Manipur issue as ethnic clash due to the ST issue.
While we welcome the peace initiative, one cannot close our eyes to the uncomfortable and embarassing reality that MHA hasn’t cracked down on the… pic.twitter.com/izYcCyryOl
— Meitei Heritage Society (@meiteiheritage) April 5, 2025
A Narrative at Odds
The Home Minister has consistently described the Manipur situation as a product of ethnic tensions, a stance echoed by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi in past statements. Incidentally, the Manipur clashes erupted on May 3, 2023 after the High Court there recommended Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Meetei community, sparking outrage among the tribal groups. Amit Shah has repeatedly leaned on this explanation, framing the violence as a fallout of competing ethnic claims.
COCOMI, however, rejects this as a “gross distortion of facts.” In a strongly worded press communiqué issued today, the group argued that the crisis stems from deeper, more sinister issues—chiefly, a “proxy war” fueled by illegal immigrants and narco-terrorist groups from the Chin-Kuki community, allegedly shielded by the Centre under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement since 2005. “These armed groups, mercenaries of foreign origin, have been emboldened by New Delhi’s patronage,” the statement read, accusing the government of turning a blind eye to their role in destabilizing Manipur.
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This narrative aligns closely with Biren Singh’s stance. The former Chief Minister has vocally attributed the state’s woes to illegal immigration from Myanmar, urging the Centre to prioritize border security and deportation measures over peace overtures. His removal—forced in the dead of night just before a crucial assembly session—has only amplified his rhetoric, with COCOMI now echoing his call for the government to acknowledge these “core issues” before any dialogue can proceed.
The Power Behind the Rejection
COCOMI’s decision to boycott the talks is not merely a symbolic snub; it reflects the organization’s deep ties to Biren Singh and, by extension, Meetei militant outfits like Arambai Tenggol. Analysts see this as evidence of a powerful troika—Biren Singh, COCOMI, and Arambai Tenggol—united in their opposition to the Centre’s approach. “Biren Singh may no longer hold office, but he wields tremendous money and muscle power,” said a political observer in Imphal, speaking on condition of anonymity. “This rejection enjoys his blessings, and it’s unlikely the Centre can move forward without bringing him on board.”
The group’s demands further highlight this alignment. COCOMI has called for direct engagement with the command structures of armed groups under the SoO, bypassing civilian representatives—a stance that mirrors the influence of Arambai Tenggol, a Meetei militia known for its hardline tactics. Additionally, it seeks explicit acknowledgment of illegal immigration, narco-terrorism, and secessionist movements like Zalengam and Kukiland, issues Biren Singh has long championed.
ALSO READ: Manipur Peace Talks Begin Amid its Rejection by COCOMI
A State on the Brink
The collapse of the peace talks comes at a precarious moment for Manipur. The imposition of President’s Rule earlier this year, following Biren Singh’s exit, was met with fierce resistance from COCOMI, which labeled it “undemocratic and unjustified.”
For the Centre, the challenge is now twofold: placating a restive Meetei leadership that feels sidelined while addressing the legitimate grievances of the Chin-Kuki communities, who have borne the brunt of the violence. Yet, with COCOMI and its allies digging in their heels, the prospect of meaningful dialogue appears dim. “The Home Ministry’s strategy has hit a wall,” said a senior official familiar with the talks. “Until they find a way to buy peace with Biren Singh and his camp, progress will remain elusive.”
As Manipur teeters on the edge, the fault lines between Delhi’s top-down approach and the ground realities of state politics have never been more apparent. For now, the rejection of the peace talks stands as a stark reminder that in this troubled state, power—and the will to wield it—remains firmly in the hands of those who refuse to compromise.
Here are the eight key demands listed by COCOMI for any meaningful resolution:
- Statewide Rule of Law: Immediate enforcement of law and order across Manipur.
- Neutralization of Hostile Forces: Dismantling and disarming of SoO-affiliated militant groups operating with impunity in the hill districts.
- Accountability: Legal action against groups unlawfully occupying territory and blockading highways.
- End of SoO Agreement: Immediate cancellation of the SoO pact and removal of foreign-origin militants.
- Uninterrupted Transportation Access: Assurance of safe and unimpeded travel across vital highways, which was notably absent during the March 8 disruption.
- Legal Prosecution: Targeting individuals and groups resisting peace efforts, including those undermining the Governor and Home Minister’s interventions.
- Acknowledgment of Core Issues: Addressing illegal immigration, narco-terrorism, and secessionist ambitions like Zalengam and Kukiland.
- Direct Engagement with Armed Groups: Since civilian representatives have been bypassed by SoO leadership, the Centre must speak directly with the militant command structures.
