Mugdha Das

Manipur: Cocomi slams ‘pact’ between centre, Kuki-Chin groups

Digital Desk: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has strongly condemned the Government of India’s decision to extend the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Chin-Kuki armed groups, calling it a move that threatens the rights and security of Manipur’s indigenous people.

The extension, announced on September 4 in New Delhi, has sparked fierce backlash from COCOMI, which labelled the decision as "anti-people" and “undemocratic.”

The committee accused the Centre of granting legitimacy and protection to what it described as “narco-terrorist groups”, undermining both the will of Manipur’s elected government and the state’s constitutional framework.

COCOMI pointed to the March 10, 2023, resolution by the Manipur Cabinet, which had unanimously decided to withdraw from the SoO pact.

It also referenced a unanimous resolution passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on February 29, 2024, urging the Centre to revoke the agreement.

The committee argued that the imposition of President’s Rule has rendered the administration “illegitimate” and incapable of making decisions on behalf of the people.

“The extension of SoO under the current political circumstances is hegemonic and ignores the democratic will of the people,” COCOMI said in a statement.

It further criticised the agreement for providing “undue recognition and impunity” to armed groups allegedly engaged in terrorism and narcotics trafficking.

The committee expressed concern that the move compromises the constitutional rights and security of the Meitei population and broader indigenous communities in the Northeast.

COCOMI has called for the immediate withdrawal of the SoO extension and urged the Centre to respect the resolutions passed by the state’s democratically elected institutions.