On the anniversary of the Manipur crisis, a unified voice from the Meitei population of the Imphal Valley, gathered at the Manipur People’s Convention by COCOMI, issued a powerful set of resolutions. These resolutions, the result of exhaustive deliberations in Imphal, seek to protect Manipur’s territorial integrity, reinstate fundamental rights, and hold the Government of India responsible for its shortcomings.
BY PC Bureau
Marking the second anniversary of the Manipur crisis, the Manipur People’s Convention, convened by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) and representing the Meitei population of the Imphal Valley, unanimously passed a set of resolute resolutions.
These declarations, adopted after thorough deliberations at Khuman Lampak, Imphal, aim to safeguard Manipur’s territorial integrity, restore fundamental rights, and demand accountability from the Government of India for its failures.
READ Khuraijam Athouba’s Column: Manipur — Two years on: People deserve lasting peace, justice, and security.
Adopted on 3 May 2025, the resolutions of the Manipur People’s Convention mark a pivotal moment in the state’s ongoing ethnic conflict. Moderated by RK Nimai and convened by Khuraijam Athouba of COCOMI, the Convention sought to provide a both a roadmap for peace and a warning to those who neglect the aspirations of Manipur’s indigenous communities.
A Unified Stand for Manipur’s Integrity
The Convention reaffirmed the non-negotiable stance of the people of Manipur: the state’s territorial integrity, historical identity, and political unity are sacrosanct. Any attempt—internal or external—to divide or destabilize Manipur will face resolute opposition. This declaration underscores the deep-rooted commitment of Manipuris to preserve their state as an indivisible entity.
ALSO READ: COCOMI’s Convention Slams Centre’s Inaction on Manipur Crisis
Key Resolutions: Addressing the Crisis
The Convention outlined a comprehensive set of resolutions to tackle the violence, displacement, and systemic failures that have persisted since 2023. These resolutions are a clarion call for justice, accountability, and restoration:
- Acknowledging State Failure: The Convention declared that the Government of India has either deliberately neglected or strategically prolonged the crisis to serve its geopolitical interests, compromising the rights, safety, and dignity of Manipur’s indigenous and native populations.
- Demanding Accountability: The people demanded that the Government formally accept responsibility for perpetuating the crisis and initiate a time-bound roadmap to restore peace, law, and order across all communities.
- Rejecting Misleading Narratives: The Convention condemned Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s characterization of the crisis as a mere Kuki-Meetei conflict, dismissing claims of terrorism and religious extremism. This reductionist narrative was deemed misleading and an attempt to downplay the crisis’s complexity.
- Ending Proxy Wars: The people demanded an immediate halt to indirect support for foreign-origin armed groups (KNO/UPF) operating under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreements since 2008. Such patronage, including safe havens and financial backing, was labeled a proxy war against Manipur’s indigenous communities.
- Restoring Fundamental Rights: The Convention called for the full restoration of constitutional rights, including access to justice, communication, education, health services, and mobility, which have been severely curtailed for two years.
- Ensuring Safe Movement: The failure to guarantee free and safe movement across Manipur, despite assurances from the Union Home Minister, was highlighted as a threat to the Government’s legitimacy and public trust.
- Legal Action Against Anti-Peace Activities: The Convention urged decisive action against illegal, anti-national activities and the dismantling of hostile zones declared by armed groups and civil society organizations in the hill regions, which undermine Manipur’s territorial harmony.
- Protecting Forests and Combating Narco-Terrorism: The Convention demanded urgent intervention to curb deforestation and poppy cultivation in the hill districts, which fuel armed violence and destabilize the region. Legal action against those responsible for ecological destruction and narco-terrorism was emphasized.
- Documenting Illegalities: The Government was urged to disclose records of refugees, illegal settlements, and encroachments in the hill areas to address demographic changes and security threats.
- Implementing the NRC: The Convention stressed the urgent need to enforce the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to counter demographic aggression, a root cause of recurring instability, and to protect Manipur’s indigenous population and socio-political fabric.
VIDEO | Here's what COCOMI spokesperson Khuraijam Athouba said earlier today, speaking at the Manipur People's Convention.
"It took around five hours with lakhs of people from across the state of Manipur, who have come here today, to join this landmark convention. This is going… pic.twitter.com/MQFJzCI3sk
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 3, 2025
Restoring Basic Human Rights
The Convention outlined specific demands to restore the dignity and rights of those affected by the crisis:
- Return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): Ensure the safe, dignified return of all IDPs to their homes within a fixed timeframe, with full reconstruction and relief packages. Legal action was demanded against those obstructing this process.
- Fair Compensation: Disburse adequate compensation to help IDPs rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
- Education for Displaced Children: Guarantee uninterrupted education, safety, and support for displaced students.
- Justice for the Missing: Launch a special initiative to trace missing persons, release official status reports, and provide compensation to their families.
- Protecting Farmlands: Restore access to farmlands for the upcoming agricultural season, with the Government held accountable for losses due to its failures.
- Pending Farmer Compensation: Immediately release all pending compensations for farmers affected by the violence.
- Protecting Sacred Sites: Ensure the safety of sacred indigenous sites, such as Lord Kongba Maru Laiphamlen, Lord Koubru, and Lord Thangjing, for the 2 million Meetei adherents, in line with the Manipur Ancient and Historical Monuments Act, 1976.
- Status of Missing Persons: Produce a verified, official report on the whereabouts of missing persons, accessible to their families without delay.
Final Declaration: A Call to Action
The Convention issued a stern ultimatum to the Government of India: uphold the rights and dignity of Manipur’s citizens within a specified timeframe or risk complete alienation. Failure to act on these resolutions will compel the people to pursue their own collective measures, potentially straining ties with the Government. The people also declared they would cease cooperation with any entity except the Government of India until these demands are met, emphasizing that the responsibility to ensure Manipur’s rights, safety, and integrity cannot be delegated or diluted.
