Imphal, May 20, 2025, Virthli (ONP): The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has issued a strong condemnation of what it describes as deliberate actions by the Indian Army's Maha Regiment to undermine the authority of the Manipur state government. The group alleges that the Army’s conduct, particularly in the Gwaltabi area of Imphal East, poses a direct threat to the legitimacy and autonomy of the state.
The criticism follows an incident involving an official media team en route to the Shirui Lily Festival 2025, a state-sponsored cultural event. According to COCOMI, the team—facilitated by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Manipur—was halted at a checkpoint manned by central forces. Security personnel allegedly demanded the journalists conceal the “Manipur State Transport” markings on their bus before proceeding. The journalists, in protest, disembarked and returned to Imphal using alternative transport.
COCOMI described the order as “unjustified, unacceptable, and a direct affront to the state’s legitimacy.” The organization argued that such incidents raise serious questions about the operational autonomy of central forces and their adherence to the state's administrative authority.
“The act represents a gross violation of Manipur’s dignity and sovereignty,” the statement read. COCOMI further expressed alarm over what it called the increasing override of civilian governance by central security forces, warning that such actions risk the erosion of democratic frameworks within the state.
The committee accused the central forces of acting independently of state coordination and highlighted a growing mistrust among the public due to their perceived bias and controversial role in the ongoing unrest in Manipur.
Calling on the Union Government to urgently reassess its deployment of non-local security personnel, COCOMI emphasized the need for officers who understand the cultural and social sensitivities of the region. It also demanded accountability and immediate explanation from the officers involved in the Gwaltabi incident.
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The press release reiterated COCOMI’s support for the state’s journalist community and appealed for unity among indigenous groups, warning that the incident should not be viewed in isolation but as part of a larger pattern aimed at weakening internal cohesion.
“The time for silence is over,” said Laikhuram Jayenta, Convenor of COCOMI’s IPR Sub-Committee. “Manipur shall not be silenced.”
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