Imphal: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has criticised the state government over its handling of the prolonged conflict, accusing the authorities of failing to prevent violence and protect civilians.
In a statement, COCOMI condemned the August 14 attacks on Naga villages in which two Liangmai Naga civilians were killed and two others injured. The attacks have been attributed to militants linked to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) groups.
The latest killings came weeks after six men from the Liangmai community were allegedly abducted on May 13 and later found dead.
COCOMI also questioned the timing of the violence, noting that the attacks occurred shortly after Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh visited Kangpokpi district, which was presented as an effort to promote peace, restore normalcy and facilitate the reopening of highways.
The committee said the violence in Kangpokpi was contrary to the stated objectives of the Chief Minister’s visit and accused the administration of failing to safeguard the lives and property of citizens.
It further alleged that the government’s inability to restore law and order over nearly three years suggested that the state was being directed by the Centre to pursue what it described as a “proxy war” against indigenous communities. COCOMI claimed that neither the state nor the central government had publicly rejected the charge.
The organisation warned that the prolonged conflict and continued violence would affect how elected leaders are viewed by history. It also rejected the use of attacks against other communities as a means of advancing political or community demands, urging authorities to address the crisis beyond the framework of inter-community hostility.Meanwhile, normal life was disrupted in Senapati district after the United Naga Council (UNC) enforced a shutdown across Naga-inhabited areas in protest against the August 14 killings in Langka and Makhui villages.
The shutdown received support from local civil society groups, including the All Naga Students Association Manipur (ANSAM) and the Naga People’s Organization (NPO).
The emergency shutdown remained in force until 11 pm on August 15. Shops and other commercial establishments stayed closed, while public and private vehicles remained off the roads, apart from those providing essential and emergency services.
Officials said no untoward incident was reported in the district during the shutdown.