NRC, SoO top COCOMI's agenda

    01-Feb-2025
| 60
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 1: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has been recently restructured with the adop-tion of a new constitution, and taken several resolutions on the Manipur crisis.
The restructuring of the organisation was done at a special general body Meeting held on January 30.
The special GBM restructured the organisation and agreed to put into effect a new constitution having 37 articles. All future activities of the committee will be done adhering to the new constitution, said its convenor, Khuraijam Athouba.
Announcing the news after the special GBM, Athouba said COCOMI has 55 constituent organisations and nine branches with a 183-strong general body members and 30 executive members.
The committee was earlier led by a coordinator. After the reorganisation, the committee is now led by its convenor.
The convenor now leads 15 subcommittees including its students’ front, women’s front, farmers’ wing, anti-narcotic unit and relief & medical wings etc and a consultative committee.
Committee convenor, Athouba said the special GBM discussed the ongoing Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists' aggression in depth and took several resolutions to address the crisis and bring peace.
He said COCOMI considers the implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur crucial to address issues facing today.
Efforts will be taken up to push for implementation of NRC and abrogation of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement, signed between Kuki militants, Government of India and Government of Manipur.
The committee has also taken a resolution to start a strong anti-narcotic campaign, he added.
To execute its works and campaigns swiftly and successfully, Athouba said, COCOMI is launching its website and will open social media pages for better dissemination of information.
Considering the hardships internally displaced persons are facing, the committee has also taken a resolution to enhance its activities aimed at assisting them, he said.
The committee has further decided to take proactive roles and actions in facing "obstacles" that have marred National Highways, he said.
Athouba was referring to frequent blockades, extortion activities and other disturbances vehicles are facing on the highways.
For indigenous people's rights and welfare, the committee has decided to take the help of the judiciary. A dedicated committee of legal advisors will be formed for this, Athouba said.
The committee will hold consultation and public meetings to gain trust and improve the committee's relation with the public, he informed.
COCOMI will continue its movement against imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) 1958, he added.
Commenting on a news report regarding the discovery of an underground tunnel along Indo-Myanmar border in Mizoram, he said,  COCOMI has written to the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister for their attention and urged them to declare "Narco-Terrorist Emergency" in the Northeastern States.