Asem Bhakta
Special Correspondent North East
Imphal: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has urged the public to prevent what it described as “puppet politicians” from participating in the upcoming Khongjom Day observance, 23 April, intensifying its criticism of the state leadership amid the ongoing crisis.
Speaking to media persons, W. Luwangleima, convenor of the COCOMI Women’s Wing, said the organisation has already imposed a boycott on BJP MLAs, party leaders, and members of the government, including Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh. She alleged that their “irresponsible actions” during the prolonged unrest have worsened the situation.
W. Luwangleima also criticised a group of women in Wangjing who welcomed the Chief Minister during the inauguration of a Block Development Office, drawing a sharp contrast with women protestors along the Imphal–Thoubal stretch who have been blocking his movement despite harsh conditions. She asserted that the current situation calls for urgent resolution of the crisis rather than ceremonial functions and inaugurations.
The call for exclusion comes ahead of the Khongjom Day observance scheduled for April 23 at the Khongjom War Memorial Complex, a historic site linked to the Anglo-Manipur War. The occasion commemorates those who laid down their lives in defence of Manipur and has increasingly become a platform for expressing political discontent.
COCOMI reiterated that the unrest, which began on May 3, 2023, remains unresolved and alleged that the situation continues to deteriorate due to inadequate response and policy failures. The organisation also warned against any developments that could widen the scope of the conflict, stating that further escalation involving additional communities would destabilise the state.
The COCOMI Women’s Wing described the crisis as resembling a proxy conflict and called for immediate intervention by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led government. It demanded accountability and urged democratic mobilisation to highlight what it termed as political injustice faced by the people of Manipur.
Further, COCOMI accused certain elected representatives of failing to safeguard public interests, alleging that decisions are being influenced by external considerations rather than ground realities. It cautioned that such perceptions could deepen divisions and erode public trust in governance.
Amid rising public anger, the organisation signalled support for social boycott measures against leaders perceived to be acting against public interest. It maintained that allowing such leaders to participate in Khongjom Day ceremonies would undermine the sanctity of the occasion and dishonour the legacy of those who fought in 1891.
