Imphal: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has called on the Government of India (GoI) to urgently intervene and rescue six individuals, including women and children, allegedly held hostage by armed militants. Speaking at a press conference, COCOMI spokesperson Khuraijam Athouba criticized the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for its “submissive approach” in handling the crisis.
Athouba alleged that the MHA was negotiating with the militants by offering the bodies of 10 Kuki militants killed in a November 11 retaliatory operation by the CRPF following the attack and abduction. “Bargaining with armed terrorists holding innocent women and children hostage undermines the government’s ability to address the crisis,” he stated, urging the government to launch a decisive cordon-and-search operation.
COCOMI also strongly opposed the reimposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in six valley police station areas in Manipur, labeling it unconstitutional. Athouba argued that the Centre’s unilateral move bypassed the state government and lacked legal justification. “AFSPA requires a declaration of disturbed areas by the state, which has not occurred. This is a violation of Manipur’s constitutional rights,” he said.
Athouba further argued that AFSPA has been ineffective in preventing attacks by armed Kuki militants, noting casualties among personnel from the Assam Rifles, BSF, CRPF, and state police despite the Act’s presence. He accused the Centre of using Kuki militants in a proxy war to destabilize Meitei communities and questioned the rationale for imposing AFSPA in areas where Meitei village defense forces have shown no hostility toward Indian security forces.
COCOMI criticized the government for failing to act against Suspension of Operations (SoO) groups, accusing them of targeting Meitei civilians. “The imposition of AFSPA in areas without hostilities against Indian forces is unjustifiable and inhumane,” Athouba said.
COCOMI demanded an immediate review of the decision and called on the Manipur government to pressure the Centre to withdraw AFSPA. Athouba warned that failure to act would be seen as an “open declaration of a proxy war,” prompting the people of Manipur to raise their concerns nationally and internationally.