Imphal: Thousands of people took out a rally from Bishnupur district to Imphal West on Sunday to mark three years since the outbreak of the Manipur conflict on May 3, 2023, while the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (Cocomi) held a people’s convention to deliberate on the way forward.The procession started from Nambol Sabal Leikai in Bishnupur district and moved towards Kodompokpi Lamkhai in Imphal West, where the participants gathered and raised slogans demanding peace, justice and unity among the people. The rally culminated at the Nambol Bazar where the marchers offered floral tributes to those who lost their lives during the conflict, the latest being the two children killed in a bomb attack in Tronglaobi last month.Speaking to the media, Sougrakpam Ranibala Leima, one of the participants in the rally, alleged continued inaction by the central government despite the crisis persisting for three years. She said Manipur has been burning for three years while PM Narendra Modi has remained silent on the issue. Alleging continued neglect by the Centre, she questioned whether Manipur is being treated as an integral part of India.Meanwhile, Cocomi held a ‘Manipur People’s Convention on 3 Years of Manipur Crisis’ at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen in Imphal East, bringing together a wide cross-section of the society, including intellectuals, community leaders, civil society representatives, and members from various communities. Participants engaged in detailed deliberations on the ongoing crisis in Manipur.After discussions, the convention adopted six key resolutions. It reaffirmed all earlier resolutions taken by Cocomi and the people of Manipur since May 3, 2023, and resolved to intensify democratic movements in coordination with local bodies, clubs, and Meira Paibi groups, urging both the Govt of India and the Manipur govt to implement earlier demands.The convention resolved to declare May 3 every year as ‘Anti-Narco Terrorism Day’ in Manipur. It also proposed that the day be recognized internationally, urging the United Nations and relevant global bodies to declare it as ‘International Anti-Narco Terrorism Day’.Thousands of people also gathered in Churachandpur to observe ‘Separation Day,’ marking three years since the ethnic violence and the Kuki-Zo community’s displacement from the Imphal Valley. The programme, which included mass prayers, was organized by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) and the Zomi Council.(Inputs from MK Henry)
