Manipur CM asks COCOMI to withdraw boycott of Manipur Sangai Festival

Our Correspondent Imphal, Nov. 27 (EMN): Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday called upon the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) to withdraw its boycott of the Manipur Sangai Festival. COCOMI, a coordinating body of major civil organisations which had spearheaded a series of public movements in the state demanding the protection of Manipur’s interest, has been boycotting the ongoing Sangai Festival 2019. Addressing a press conference at the Durbar Hall of the chief minister’s secretariat today, Biren Singh said the Manipur Sangai Festival is organised ‘for the future of the people of Manipur,’ adding that it is not only a pride for Manipur but a platform to promote the identity of the state to the world. Narrating about the meeting of the COCOMI team with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Biren said despite his busy schedule due to the ongoing Parliament session and political developments in Maharashtra, Amit Shah gave an appointment for the hour-long meeting wherein COCOMI leaders had the opportunity to apprise the Union Home minister about all the grievances and apprehensions of the Manipuri people about the ongoing Naga peace process. He said after listening to COCOMI representatives, the Union Home minister once again gave a concrete assurance that the Centre would not do anything detrimental to Manipur’s interest in any manner in the process of bringing a final solution to the Naga peace process. On the demand for convening an assembly session, Biren said that the winter session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly would be convened by December 20. As both their demands had been fulfilled, COCOMI should keep their words and lift the boycott in the greater interest of the state, he observed.  After the Home minister-COCOMI meeting, Biren Singh said, he had a separate discussion regarding the Citizenship Amendment Bill as well. Urging the people to have trust in the government, Biren said that the present state government would never remain as a silent spectator when anything detrimental to the state’s interest and indigenous people happens. Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar and Works Minister Th Biswajit le council of ministers, MLAs and officials were present in the day’s press conference.