Thousands Participate in ‘Manipur Kanba Khongchat’ Rally in Imphal, Adopt Eight Resolutions

A massive public rally organized by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) under the banner “Manipur Kanba Khongchat” (March to Save Manipur) drew thousands of participants to the streets of Imphal today.

The procession, which started from Tiddim Ground and concluded at THAU Ground, saw diverse communities, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), marching to voice concerns over ongoing instability, territorial integrity, and alleged cross-border threats.

Participants raised slogans such as “Don’t disintegrate Manipur,” “Stop proxy war,” and calls for safeguarding the state’s unity. The rally, held amid President’s Rule in Manipur (extended until February 2026), aimed to send a strong message to the Government of India regarding peace, justice, and democratic governance.

At the public meeting following the march, attendees unanimously adopted eight key resolutions addressing the crisis that has persisted since May 3, 2023.The resolutions are as follows:

End India’s Proxy War Policy and Abrogate the Deceptive SoO Agreement

The rally condemned what it described as the Government of India’s “proxy war policy” in Manipur and demanded the immediate abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. Speakers argued that the SoO has legitimized, shielded, and sustained armed groups linked to foreign elements in the hill areas, normalizing terror, paralyzing governance, enabling armed domination of civilian spaces, and prolonging instability at the expense of indigenous lives, land, and constitutional authority.

Rejection of the “Ethnic Conflict” Narrative and Recognition of Gross and Persistent Human Rights Violations

The gathering rejected the characterization of the Manipur crisis as mere “ethnic tension.” It highlighted systematic human rights violations since May 3, 2023, including targeted killings, terror attacks, IED blasts, forced displacement, destruction of civilian settlements, denial of security, and selective law enforcement—allegedly enabled by state inaction, selective enforcement, and institutional complicity—amounting to assaults on constitutional rights, human dignity, and the rule of law.

Safe, Dignified and Time-Bound Return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)

The Government of India was urged to ensure the immediate, safe, dignified, and time-bound return of all IDPs to their respective homes, with full security guarantees, rehabilitation, livelihood support, and permanent protection from renewed terror and displacement.

Dismantling of Chin-Kuki Narco-Terrorist Networks and Cross-Border Terror Infrastructure

Decisive and uncompromising action was demanded to dismantle and neutralize Chin-Kuki narco-terrorist networks in Manipur, including their armed structures, illegal opium poppy cultivation, financing channels, logistical bases, and cross-border linkages with Myanmar—without selective enforcement or political appeasement.

Accountability, Transparency and Restoration of Constitutional Governance

Political, administrative, and command responsibility must be fixed for the outbreak, continuation, and escalation of violence since May 3, 2023, including attacks on IDP resettlement areas. All enquiry commission reports should be made public without delay, perpetrators and collaborators prosecuted, and constitutional governance restored across Manipur without parallel authority or armed domination.

Implement NRC or a Similar Mechanism

To address demographic challenges arising from long-term illegal immigration, the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) or a similar effective mechanism was called for urgently.

Guarantee Free, Safe, and Uninterrupted Movement on National Highways

With immediate effect, the Government of India must ensure the free, safe, and uninterrupted movement of all citizens of Manipur on national highways.

Protection of Manipur’s Territorial Integrity, Democratic Rights, and People’s Mandate

The Government of India must abandon all policies and actions contributing to the fragmentation, disintegration, or destabilization of Manipur; cease violations of democratic rights; and restore a fully empowered, elected popular government to ensure accountable, representative, and democratic governance while safeguarding territorial integrity and constitutional unity.

The rally concluded with a strong declaration: “National interest cannot be pursued through a proxy war against indigenous people. Manipur cannot be held hostage to strategic calculations. Peace without justice is not peace.”

Organizers expressed hope that the resolutions would prompt swift action from New Delhi to restore normalcy, resettle displaced families, and uphold Manipur’s integrity.

Signpost NewsDesk

Signpost News is an Imphal-based media house that focuses on delivering news and views from Northeast India and beyond.