COCOMI says agitations will continue amid Manipur shutdowns, urges peaceful protests ahead of Khongjom Day observance on April 23
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IMPHAL — The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a conglomerate of several civil society organisations in the state, on Wednesday announced that its ongoing democratic agitations will continue.
COCOMI spokesperson Nahakpam Shanta, addressing a press conference in Imphal, urged the public—particularly those residing along the Imphal–Khongjom route—to peacefully express their grievances so that leaders can witness public concerns while travelling to attend the Khongjom Day observance at the historic war memorial site in Khongjom village, Thoubal district, on April 23.
Expressing concern over the lack of progress, Shanta said that despite the presence of a popular government in the state, no meaningful steps have been taken towards restoring peace.
Also read: Shutdowns, curfew bring Manipur to a standstill
Meanwhile, normal life continued to be affected due to twin shutdowns across the state on Wednesday. Busy hill district headquarters such as Senapati and Ukhrul wore a deserted look due to a three-day shutdown called by the United Naga Council (UNC) from April 20.
The UNC’s shutdown, called to mourn the death of two civilians, coincided with a five-day shutdown by women’s groups protesting the killing of two children and three other civilians.
It may be mentioned that several localities across five districts have been organising protest rallies and sit-in demonstrations against the killing of two children in Bishnupur district on April 7.
On Wednesday, sit-in protests were held by women’s groups at multiple locations in and around the state capital, as well as in other areas.
For over a week, torch rallies demanding justice for the April 7 incident at Tronglaobi in Bishnupur district have been organised under the aegis of the All Manipur United Clubs Organisation at various locations.
Manipur has been witnessing widespread protests across the districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Kakching and Thoubal following fresh violence triggered by a bomb attack on April 7 at Tronglaobi, which killed two children and critically injured their mother. In subsequent protests that turned violent, three more civilians were killed the same day.