Manipur: COCOMI Slams New Cross-Border Protocol, Demands Immediate Withdrawal
First Published: 27th December, 2024 18:56 IST
COCOMI said the new protocol is unacceptable as it undermines the sacrifices and efforts made to safeguard Manipur's territorial integrity
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has strongly condemned the new protocol introduced by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which permits cross-border movement for people residing along the Indo-Myanmar Border (IMB). The committee has demanded its immediate withdrawal, asserting that the policy poses serious threats to the security, culture, and integrity of Manipur.
The MHA in a letter to the state Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi on December 24 said that it has introduced a border pass system for Myanmar nationals residing within 10 km of the India-Myanmar border, allowing limited entry into Manipur for specific purposes.
Under the new protocol, the Assam Rifles would issue border passes valid for one week for specific purposes such as visiting relatives, tourism, business, medical needs, sports, official duty, border trade affairs, attendance in seminars or conferences and cultural exchange programmes.
In a release, COCOMI expressed grave concerns over the potential misuse of the protocol, warning that it could lead to an influx of undocumented individuals, cultural dilution, and destabilization of the region. The committee urged the MHA to recognise the unique socio-political challenges faced by the border areas and to prioritise the safety and sovereignty of the region.
“The new protocol is unacceptable as it undermines the sacrifices and efforts made to safeguard Manipur’s territorial integrity. We demand its withdrawal without delay,” COCOMI stated in a press release.
The group has also called for solidarity among the people of Manipur, urging them to resist any policy that compromises the state’s cultural and territorial identity. COCOMI further announced plans to organise mass protests and seek legal remedies if the government fails to address their concerns.
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