Amid shutdown, Manipur group calls for BJP boycott

COCOMI, a conglomerate of Meitei civil society organizations in Manipur, announced a boycott of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state following continued violence and a shutdown. The group demanded an explanation from Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh for failing to stop attacks on civilians. The boycott was prompted by anger over the alleged failure of the BJP to prevent "proxy war" by armed groups against indigenous people, with Meitei women's groups and civil society organizations calling for a five-day shutdown. The United Naga Council (UNC) joined the Meitei groups in extending the shutdown to seven days following the killing of two Tangkhul Naga men allegedly by Kuki extremists.