COCOMI Urges Extended Arms Surrender Deadline, Condemns Security Forces’ Actions

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has raised serious concerns over the recent appeal by the Governor of Manipur for the surrender of illegal arms, urging an extension of the deadline and greater transparency in the process.

In a press communiqué issued by its Sub-Committee IPR Convenor, Laikhuram Jayanta, COCOMI acknowledged the necessity of arms recovery under the law but stressed that the circumstances that led local youth to take up arms must not be ignored. The group attributed the situation to “the incompetence of the government’s security forces, which failed to protect vulnerable villages at the peak of the crisis.”

The committee criticized the seven-day surrender deadline as insufficient for meaningful engagement with stakeholders and the public. “An extension of more time would allow for better public understanding and cooperation, helping to prevent any misunderstanding or resistance,” the statement read.

COCOMI also condemned what it described as aggressive actions by central security forces in various valley areas, alleging that they had violated even the Governor’s own timeline for arms surrender. “This disregard for the Governor’s directive has created widespread doubt among the people. Why are the central forces not adhering to the Governor’s instructions? Why are they displaying hostility towards local youth instead of following the official directive?” the communiqué questioned.

The organization called for formal engagement between the Governor and local youth leaders to ensure a peaceful and cooperative approach to arms recovery. It also demanded that no legal action be taken against civilian volunteers who had armed themselves in self-defense.

COCOMI insisted that arms confiscation efforts should not be limited to looted weapons but must also address illegal arms allegedly smuggled across the border and used by Kuki militant groups under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement. “Transparency is crucial; reports on the confiscation of arms from the hills must be made public to ensure a rational and fair approach,” the group stated.

The committee also called for the relocation of SoO-affiliated Kuki militant camps to restore law and order, emphasizing that the government must provide a concrete plan to secure villages and instill a sense of safety among residents.

COCOMI strongly opposed any efforts to legitimize foreign-origin militant groups under the pretext of peace talks, stating, “The ongoing violence and illegal activities perpetrated by these elements pose a grave threat to the stability of Manipur and the region as a whole. Immediate and decisive action is necessary to dismantle their networks rather than granting them legitimacy through flawed agreements.”