Imphal: Manipur activists demand action. The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity, known as COCOMI, teamed up with the United Naga Council to press the Union Government for the National Register of Citizens. They filed this demand years ago but claim the state remains in total disarray. Various civil society groups in the hills and valleys now back the No NRC, No Census movement to secure the state's future.
Violence erupted on May 3, 2023. The situation remains grim today. Communities cannot move freely or live as they once did. COCOMI officials argue that rushing a census now is ill-considered and deeply insensitive. They called the government’s plan "highly questionable" while insisting that authorities address the displacement of people before counting them. They want all internally displaced people returned to their homes first.
Government officials often rely on force. COCOMI warns against treating their movement as a simple law-and-order problem. They argue that using legal pressure to suppress public outcry only fuels the fire. Instead, the government must open a dialogue. Officials should stop firing or suspending workers who support the movement. COCOMI urged employees to consider the public interest before taking disciplinary action. They expect a peaceful, collective effort to continue until the government finally listens.
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