A fresh round of killings in Manipur has prompted the COCOMI, a conglomerate of leading valley-based civil society organisations (CSOs), to “demand” that chief minister N. Biren Singh take charge of the Unified Command to “protect” the state’s indigenous people and integrity.

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) raised the demand for a change in guard at the Unified Command, currently headed by state security adviser Kuldiep Singh, because the existing security arrangements in the state have “undeniably failed” and the role of the security adviser is “utterly ineffective”.

The Unified Command, formed in May-end with Kuldiep Singh as chairperson, is a coordinating body between the central forces, state forces and the local administration to ensure order in the state. It chalks out strategies to contain/nip trouble in the strife-hit state.

A COCOMI statement on Friday blamed “Kuki assailants” for the “calculated and cold-blooded murder of three unarmed individuals who had gone out to collect firewood for their livelihood”.

The three bodies were recovered from a foothill about 2km from their village Kumbi Haotak in Meitei-majority Bishnupur district on Thursday afternoon. The village is close to the Kuki-Zo-majority Churachandpur district.

The COCOMI statement, issued by its media coordinator, Somorendro Thokchom, said: “ ...The prevailing security arrangements have undeniably failed, and the role of the security adviser over the past eight months during this tumultuous period has been utterly ineffective, with no discernible signs of improvement.”

“Compounding the distress is the disturbing spectacle of Kuki armed personnel gleefully celebrating the killing of four villagers... to provoke the Meetei people... (Amid this) the state government remains a passive spectator.”

The COCOMI added: “The glaring inadequacy of the 70,000-strong central forces deployed in the state raises questions about their effectiveness in preserving civilian lives and property. Perhaps it’s time to reconsider their presence and empower the state government to handle the situation.”

“The alarming absence of law and order in Kuki-infiltrated hill areas poses a grave threat to Manipur. These regions resemble rogue districts... Immediate and comprehensive intervention is imperative to avert further jeopardy in Manipur.”

The conglomerate demanded: “We demand the chief minister of Manipur to take over the charge of Unified Command. And protect the indigenous people’s life, property and integrity of the state and its value.”

There are 34 communities in the state.

The COCOMI statement has come in the wake of the fresh round of killings in the state, which has been in turmoil since May 3.