COCOMI lines up protest agenda

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 27 : With Assembly session all set to begin, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has appealed to  all people who want abrogation of Suspension of Operation (SoO) and update of National Register of Citizens (NRC) to stage protests at all keithels and raise their demands.
The Committee also appealed to all womenfolk to take out a rally at all villages and localities by donning red clothes from 7 pm onwards.
Speaking to the media at Manipur Press Club today, COCOMI coordinator Somorendro Thokchom said that the Centre still seems to be not taking the situation in Manipur seriously.
He also said that Kuki militants taking active part in the attack against Meeteis by violating the ground rules of the SoO pact has become an open secret.
Reminding that SoO agreement will be reviewed again on February 29 while the fifth session of  State Assembly will commence tomorrow, Somorendro appealed to the people  to stage a protest tommorow and make their voice heard during this significant time.
Further appealing to all mothers to take out a torch rally from 7 pm onwards at all localities and villages by wearing red clothes and raise slogans to update the NRC immediately, discontinue the SoO pact and to stop targeting civil society organisations, Somorendro sought support from the masses to make tomorrow's protest meaningful.
Meanwhile, Somorendro said that killing one student and injuring another in a bomb attack at DM college complex on February 23, torching several CSO offices including its office at Lamphelpat and assaulting a journalist were unfortunate.
What is more disappointing is that no one has claimed responsibility for the series of attacks and the complete silence of the Government over the matter, Somorendro said and added that the 2470 affidavits gathered by them in connection with Manipur violence were also gutted in the fire.
He appealed to all concerned to stop the war of words among the blood brothers and the use of excesses against one another.