In a pivotal development, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) convened a significant meeting with Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah on August 25th at his official residence in New Delhi. The deliberations centered on the urgent imperative for heightened security measures and the replacement of Assam Rifles in the Manipur sector. Led by Coordinator Jeetendra Ningomba, COCOMI underscored the critical nature of addressing the ongoing crisis, which not only imperils regional stability but also poses a threat to India’s national security.
During the meeting, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah emphatically reiterated the stance against infiltration into Manipur’s territorial boundaries. To curb unauthorized immigration, stringent measures including biometric registration with retina scans are being implemented. The commitment of the government to fortify Manipur’s borders was reaffirmed, underscored by the expedited border fencing initiative aimed at mitigating concerns related to mass infiltration.
In the face of mounting apprehensions surrounding separatist agendas, the Union Home Minister provided assurance that no allowances would be made for the establishment of separate administrations within Manipur. Safeguarding Manipur’s territorial integrity remains a paramount objective for the government.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah earnestly appealed for peace within the state and urged COCOMI to disseminate this message across the populace. The discourse also encompassed the movement and distribution of commodities within Manipur, with comprehensive plans for collaborative community support and the deployment of convoys to ensure the security of highways.
COCOMI received encouragement to initiate dialogues with responsible Kuki leaders and groups, a pivotal step seen as instrumental in problem-solving and peace-building endeavors. Post the meeting, COCOMI representatives meticulously penned a detailed representation letter, which was subsequently handed over to the Union Home Minister. In turn, he forwarded the letter to the Union Home Secretary for in-depth consideration of the highlighted points.
In a subsequent in-depth interaction with the Director of the Intelligence Bureau and Security Advisor Northeast, Mr. AK Mishra, COCOMI provided an exhaustive analysis of the multifaceted challenges that cast a shadow on Manipur’s stability. The discussions encapsulated concerns related to illegal immigration, cross-border narco-terrorism, the exploitation of forest resources, and breaches in the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreements. The officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs acknowledged these pivotal issues and emphasized the urgency of prompt action, along with sustained engagement with stakeholders to expedite the resolution of the crisis.
The COCOMI representation underscored the intricate layers of the ongoing Manipur crisis, underscoring the potential threats to India’s national security due to the involvement of foreign-based Chin-Kuki Narco-Terrorists and their collaboration with sectarian radical groups. The memorandum accentuated the pressing necessity for swift containment of these aggressors, the restoration of displaced communities, and the reopening of vital national highways.
In this high-stakes scenario, the meeting between COCOMI and Union Home Minister Amit Shah marks a substantial stride toward acknowledging the gravity of Manipur’s challenges and charting a course of decisive action to ensure both regional stability and national security.
News Mania Desk / Agnibeena Ghosh 26th August 2023
