Ukhrul, Feb 14: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur’s Integrity (COCOMI) has strongly condemned the imposition of the President’s Rule in Manipur, labeling it as “undemocratic and unfortunate.” Addressing the media at its Lamphel office on Friday, COCOMI Coordinator Khuraijam Athouba criticised the Central government’s decision, emphasising that the state has a sufficient number of MLAs to form a government, making the imposition of the President’s Rule unnecessary and unacceptable.
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Athouba accused the Centre of prolonging the crisis in Manipur instead of taking concrete steps to restore peace and normalcy. He alleged that the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren was orchestrated under the directives of the Central government, calling it a reflection of “political immaturity.” He pointed out that the resignation occurred without ensuring a proper transition of power, leaving the state in a leadership vacuum and exacerbating the ongoing crisis.
COCOMI further alleged that the Central government is using Manipur as a battleground for a “proxy war,” rather than focusing on resolving the conflict and bringing stability to the state. The organization expressed deep concern over the Centre’s approach, which it claims priorities political agendas over the welfare of Manipur’s people. Athouba called upon all elected representatives to act responsibly, respect the people’s mandate, and work together to re-establish a government without further delay. He stressed that the imposition of the President’s Rule undermines the democratic process and disregards the will of the people of Manipur. COCOMI urged elected representatives to set aside political differences and unite to form a government at the earliest. The organisation emphasised that the removal of the President’s Rule and the restoration of a democratically elected government are crucial for addressing the state’s challenges and ensuring the protection of Manipur’s territorial integrity.
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Athouba reiterated COCOMI’s commitment to safeguarding Manipur’s interests and called upon civil society organizations, political parties, and the public to support efforts to restore democratic governance in the state. He warned that any delay in forming a government would further marginalise the people of Manipur and deepen the ongoing crisis. COCOMI demanded accountability from the Central government for its handling of the situation in Manipur. The organization called for immediate steps to resolve the conflict, restore peace, and ensure that the voices of Manipur’s people are heard and respected.