govt-staff-evacuated-as-cocomi-shuts-offices-in-imphal

Volunteers from the student wing of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) on Wednesday compelled government employees to vacate their offices in Imphal as part of a two-day shutdown of both state and central government offices.

 

The protesters targeted key government establishments, including the Secretariat and the Directorate of Transport, located just metres from the Manipur Police headquarters and the Chief Minister's residence.

 

Volunteers demanded that employees leave their workstations immediately, leaving behind their belongings. The volunteers even attempted to lock the gates of the buildings, but were thwarted by security personnel.

 

COCOMI volunteers also entered the Forest Department’s head office in Sanjenthong and the Sub-Divisional Officer's office at the DC Complex in Porompat, despite a heavy security presence.

 

In some locations, the protesters succeeded in locking office doors, officials reported.

 

Security forces, including CRPF personnel, were deployed in large numbers across government offices in Imphal valley and Jiribam to maintain order.

 

“We started our campaign by shutting down state government offices. We hold government officials responsible for failing to restore peace and end the violence. We also urge government employees not to come to the office,” said Dhanakumar Meitei, Coordinator of the COCOMI Students Front.

 

This action follows mounting frustration with the state government’s response to ongoing violence. Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had appealed to COCOMI the day before, asking the organisation not to escalate its agitation.

 

However, COCOMI leaders remained firm, stating their dissatisfaction with the government's inaction.

 

COCOMI Coordinator Thokchom Somorendro added, “The state government has failed to act on the NDA resolutions to conduct mass operations against Kuki militants within seven days and to remove AFSPA from areas where it was recently imposed. As a result, the organisation decided to shut down all state and government offices for two days.”