COCOMI to continue general strike till November 1

Protest during COCOMI sponsored general strike in Imphal on October 31. (NNN Photo)

Newmai News Network
 Imphal | October 31

 In spite of the presence of police and other security personnel, people carried out protest rallies in Imphal against any move to distort Manipur’s territorial integrity on Thursday.

Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), in the meantime, extended the protest period till November 1. In short, it is more or less a kind of bandh as no other activities were allowed, except to protest.

COCOMI is a recently formed conglomeration of AMUCO, CCSK, HERICOUN, LIPUL and UCM.

Addressing a hurriedly called press conference at UCM office in Imphal, COCOMI co-ordinator, Sunil Karam announced the extension of the agitation period.

After announcing the extension of the protest period, Sunil Karam called upon the people to continue the protest and rallies.

He then said that, in the deal between the NSCN-IM and the Government of India, if no point hurting Manipur’s interest at present or in future was included then COCOMI will review its decision.

He then reiterated COCOMI and "people’s firm stand" on the issue of integrity of Manipur, and asserted that the COCOMI leaders and people are ready to challenge the government of India if any clause hurting Manipur’s integrity is included in the deal.

Also speaking on the occasion, assistant co-ordinator Pheiroijam Nando appealed the people not to indulge in activities which will create communal hatred during the protest.

Earlier in the day, people across the valley districts came out on the streets in their respective localities and held protest rallies.

However, the streets in the heart of the state capital wore a deserted look despite the deployment of a large number of state and Central security forces in almost all the sensitive areas.

Almost all kinds of commercial and private vehicles stayed off the roads except very few private vehicles, sticking banners indicating emergency purposes.

All shops and business establishments, financial institutions, educational institutions remained closed for the day, too. The government offices functioned with thin attendances. No untoward incident was reported during the agitation.