Manipur: COCOMI meets Amit Shah, demands written assurance on Naga solution

COCOMI, a conglomerate of major civil society, has been spearheading a series of agitations in the state opposing any move to break Manipur due to the Indo-Naga peace deal. The group has also boycotted the ongoing Sangai festival, the annual tourism festival of the state.

Justifying its decision, Jitendra Nigomba, co-ordinator of the group said they cannot accept verbal assurance at a time when the people are running out of patience.

He explained that despite demands from the people, Centre is yet to spell out the content of the Framework Agreement. Moreover, Manipur has witnessed the worst in June 2001 due to extension of ceasefire between NSCN-IM and the government of India ‘without territorial limits’, he added.

A memorandum urging the Union Ministry to prevent any kind of attack on the interest of the state of Manipur by the peace talk with NSCN-IM was also submitted.

COCOMI has made its stand clear on Manipur’s integrity and demanded for a written assurance from the Home Minister, said Nigomba. The COCOMI co-ordinator said that a meeting would be organised on November 29 to build a consensus on further course of actions based on the assurance given by Shah. At the same time, he appealed to the people to continue with the protest in a symbolic manner to avoid any actions that could hurt the sentiment of any community.

Minister of State for Home Affairs G K Reddy, BJP Organisation Secretary B L Shantosh, Union Home Secretary Ajaykumar Bhalla, Joint Secretary (North East) MHA Satyendra Garh, Chief Minister of Manipur N Biren Singh, Education Minister of Manipur Th Radhesyam, MLA Shatyabratta and MLA L Rameshor were also present in the meeting.