COCOMI Demands Fair Arms Surrender Process Amid Insecurity, Criticizes SoO Agreement

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has responded to the Governor’s recent appeal for the recovery and surrender of illegal arms across the hills and plains, acknowledging the measure as necessary under the law but raising critical concerns.

In a detailed release, COCOMI highlighted that many youths were compelled to take up arms in self-defense when security forces failed to protect vulnerable villages during the height of the crisis. The organisation stressed that addressing the root causes of armed possession is crucial and urged authorities to adopt a fair and transparent process that considers the concerns of affected communities.

COCOMI also pointed to the ongoing presence of armed Chin-Kuki groups in the hills under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the central government, noting that the lack of a formal declaration regarding their withdrawal continues to fuel insecurity. The committee expressed dissatisfaction with the seven-day surrender deadline, arguing that it is too short to facilitate meaningful discussions with stakeholders, and recommended an extension to foster better public engagement and reduce resistance.

The organisation denounced the aggressive operations by central security forces in valley areas—allegedly in violation of the Governor’s timeline—which have deepened public mistrust, particularly among the Ima Meira Paibis and local volunteers. COCOMI called on the Governor to initiate formal talks with local youth leaders to enable a cooperative weapons retrieval process and seek assurances that no legal action will be taken against civilian volunteers forced to defend their communities during the crisis.

Furthermore, COCOMI insisted on transparency in the arms recovery process, arguing that confiscations should encompass not only looted weapons but also unaccounted arms smuggled across the border and used by Kuki armed groups under the SoO agreement. The committee also urged the relocation of Kuki militant camps, decrying any moves to legitimize foreign-origin armed groups such as KNO/UPF under the pretext of peace talks.

As debate over the arms surrender directive continues, all eyes remain on the government’s response to these pressing concerns.

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COCOMI Demands Fair Arms Surrender Process Amid Insecurity, Criticizes SoO Agreement

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