COCOMI calls for UN intervention for ending strife in Manipur

IMPHAL: Khuraijam Athouba, spokesperson of the Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a prominent organization in Manipur, has urged the intervention of the United Nations (UN) for ending the ten-month long strife in Manipur.

Addressing the 55^th UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva, Switzerland, COCOMI leader Khuraijam Athouba emphasized the need for immediate UN intervention to restore normalcy and peace in Manipur.

He highlighted the dire situation faced by indigenous communities in Manipur, who are embroiled in conflict “initiated by cross-border narco-terrorist groups”.

The violence in Manipur, which erupted on May 3 last year, has claimed over 200 lives.

Athouba also called for a report from the government of India on human rights violations in the Northeast states.

He drew attention to the pressing issues of illegal immigration and illicit poppy cultivation, particularly in the hills of the Indo-Myanmar borderland.

Athouba stressed the urgency for competent agencies and relevant parties to take immediate action to address the gross violations of human rights in Manipur.