COCOMI calls for mass demonstration
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 20: Vehemently opposing the Manipur Sangai Festival 2025 which is scheduled to kick off on Friday, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has called upon all citizens to stage mass sit-in demonstration with the slogans “We will not take part in Sangai Festival 2025” and “Restore our fundamental rights before Sangai Festival”.
Let this be a firm message to the administration that the people of Manipur will not allow anti-people decisions to be imposed upon them under any circumstance, the COCOMI said in a press release.
The COCOMI has also appealed to all people of Manipur to stand united and send a clear, collective message that “We are not a society that will trade our rights, dignity and security for a tourism festival.”
Before any celebration can take place, the State must restore the fundamental rights and freedom of movement of all citizens, ensure the safe return of all IDPs to their homes, re-establish peace and normalcy across Manipur and stop all forms of coercion and suppression against civilian voices.
If the State continues to ignore these priorities, it renders itself irrelevant to the needs and aspirations of the people, it said.
The COCOMI has also expressed its strongest condemnation of the brutal and unprovoked actions of the security forces against peaceful protesters today which resulted in injuries to several individuals.
The assault on demonstrators, including women and displaced persons who have already suffered deeply due to the ongoing crisis, is unacceptable in a democratic society, it said.
It denounced, in the strongest terms, the manhandling and brutally charging and arrest of its IPR convenor, Laikhuram Jayenta, along with an active volunteer of the committee, Shamurailatpam Devadutta is untraceable till the release of this statement, added COCOMI.
Such excessive and targeted use of force upon civil society leaders is a clear violation of democratic norms and fundamental civic rights, the COCOMI said.
The COCOMI also placed on record its deep discontentment and criticism of the Governor-led administration operating under President’s Rule for pushing forward an anti-people Sangai Festival 2025 without the consent, cooperation or confidence of the people of Manipur.
“At a time when thousands of our own people remain displaced, when normalcy is yet to be restored, and when the wounds of violence are still fresh, the State’s insistence on an extravagant festival is insensitive, misplaced, and against the wishes of the people”, it said.
The COCOMI asked “What meaningful purpose does such a festival serve when the very people for whom it is intended are still unable to return home, move freely or exercise their fundamental rights?
It is shocking and disappointing that instead of addressing these urgent humanitarian and security concerns, the State machinery has chosen to suppress public dissent and impose a festival upon a grieving society.
“COCOMI firmly believes that the fundamental rights of the citizens must take precedence over any festival or promotional event. The administration under President’s Rule has completely disregarded the sentiments, voices, and priorities of the people.
“This unilateral action raises a legitimate question: Who truly benefits from organizing the Sangai Festival 2025 at this juncture, and at whose cost?”, it said.
IMPHAL, Nov 20: Vehemently opposing the Manipur Sangai Festival 2025 which is scheduled to kick off on Friday, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has called upon all citizens to stage mass sit-in demonstration with the slogans “We will not take part in Sangai Festival 2025” and “Restore our fundamental rights before Sangai Festival”.
Let this be a firm message to the administration that the people of Manipur will not allow anti-people decisions to be imposed upon them under any circumstance, the COCOMI said in a press release.
The COCOMI has also appealed to all people of Manipur to stand united and send a clear, collective message that “We are not a society that will trade our rights, dignity and security for a tourism festival.”
Before any celebration can take place, the State must restore the fundamental rights and freedom of movement of all citizens, ensure the safe return of all IDPs to their homes, re-establish peace and normalcy across Manipur and stop all forms of coercion and suppression against civilian voices.
If the State continues to ignore these priorities, it renders itself irrelevant to the needs and aspirations of the people, it said.
The COCOMI has also expressed its strongest condemnation of the brutal and unprovoked actions of the security forces against peaceful protesters today which resulted in injuries to several individuals.
The assault on demonstrators, including women and displaced persons who have already suffered deeply due to the ongoing crisis, is unacceptable in a democratic society, it said.
It denounced, in the strongest terms, the manhandling and brutally charging and arrest of its IPR convenor, Laikhuram Jayenta, along with an active volunteer of the committee, Shamurailatpam Devadutta is untraceable till the release of this statement, added COCOMI.
Such excessive and targeted use of force upon civil society leaders is a clear violation of democratic norms and fundamental civic rights, the COCOMI said.
The COCOMI also placed on record its deep discontentment and criticism of the Governor-led administration operating under President’s Rule for pushing forward an anti-people Sangai Festival 2025 without the consent, cooperation or confidence of the people of Manipur.
“At a time when thousands of our own people remain displaced, when normalcy is yet to be restored, and when the wounds of violence are still fresh, the State’s insistence on an extravagant festival is insensitive, misplaced, and against the wishes of the people”, it said.
The COCOMI asked “What meaningful purpose does such a festival serve when the very people for whom it is intended are still unable to return home, move freely or exercise their fundamental rights?
It is shocking and disappointing that instead of addressing these urgent humanitarian and security concerns, the State machinery has chosen to suppress public dissent and impose a festival upon a grieving society.
“COCOMI firmly believes that the fundamental rights of the citizens must take precedence over any festival or promotional event. The administration under President’s Rule has completely disregarded the sentiments, voices, and priorities of the people.
“This unilateral action raises a legitimate question: Who truly benefits from organizing the Sangai Festival 2025 at this juncture, and at whose cost?”, it said.