Guwahati, June 30: A 19-member delegation of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from Manipur held a high-stakes meeting with senior Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials in New Delhi on Monday, pushing for urgent interventions to resolve the ongoing crisis in the state. The meeting, which began at 11:30 AM, lasted more than three and a half hours.
Representatives from key organizations—COCOMI, AMUCO, and FOCS—engaged in detailed discussions with A.K. Mishra, Advisor (Northeast), Rajesh Kamble, Joint Director of the Intelligence Bureau, and other senior MHA officials. The delegation laid out a structured set of demands and proposals aimed at restoring peace, security, and constitutional order in Manipur.
At the core of their appeal was the reaffirmation of Manipur’s territorial integrity. “There can be no compromise on the state’s territorial unity,” read a joint statement by AMUCO Secretary General Pratap Leishangthem, COCOMI Convenor Khuraijam Athouba, and FOCS President BM Yaima Shah. The delegation asserted that this principle remains non-negotiable for the people of Manipur.
Among the key issues raised was the urgent need to guarantee freedom of movement across the state—a fundamental right that the delegation said is vital to peacebuilding. They also proposed a phased and time-bound roadmap for the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), to return them to their original homes within this year.
The CSOs also called for the implementation of a National Register of Citizens (NRC) or a similar mechanism to curb illegal immigration and opposed any extension of Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements without comprehensive consultation with all stakeholders in the state.
The delegation emphasized the importance of conducting future dialogue sessions in Imphal to ensure broader participation. They signalled a willingness to engage in continued talks—provided they are structured around securing long-term peace and justice for all communities in Manipur.
In addition to their political and humanitarian concerns, the delegation submitted a memorandum highlighting security issues faced by farmers and requested immediate action on the long-delayed inquiry into the Gwaltabi incident. They also raised alarm over the recent MHA directive to detect illegal immigrants within 30 days, urging the Centre to adopt proper protocols and safeguards in the process.
A detailed report was also submitted to the MHA regarding the alleged illegal construction of a 343 km road along the Churachandpur–Kangpokpi axis, seeking urgent investigation and action.
MHA officials assured the CSOs that their concerns were being taken seriously and would be forwarded to relevant authorities for appropriate measures. Follow-up action and responses are expected in the coming days.
The delegation is scheduled to return to Imphal on July 2, after which they plan to brief the public and the media on the outcome of the discussions.
