500 days of violence protested at Geneva
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IMPHAL, Oct 1: In another attempt to draw the attention of UNHCR, the Government of India and international community to the violence in Manipur since May 3, 2023, the Meetei diaspora in Europe and activists from India’s North Eastern region came together in front of the Broken Chair at the United Nations, Geneva office in the wake of 57th session of the UNHRC.
The participants in the protest event raised the pertinence of restoring normalcy in Manipur. The participants also addressed media and apprised the issues concerning Manipur in the wake of aggression on Manipur State leading to the displacement of 60,000 people and killing of nearly 230, according to a press release issued by IPSA.
Addressing the media, Khuraijam Athouba, working president of IPSA, flagged the issue of unregulated influx of Kuki-Chin foreigners from Myanmar.
He also raised the issue of India’s complacency in containing Kuki militants and their incessant attacks on the valley, facing foothills.
He raised a strong voice of protest against the ineffectiveness of 60,000 Central forces and 30,000 State armed forces in stopping the violence that erupted on May 3, 2023.
Condemning the continuation of violence in Manipur for 500 days, Athouba raised the issue of displaced persons languishing in poor living conditions in the relief camps.
Athouba also raised the issue of hostage taking situation in Manipur, referring to the abduction of two Meetei youths allegedly by Kuki militants.
He condemned hostage taking as an act of absurdity and terrorism.
“Such an act of terror re-affirms the ulterior motive of the armed immigrant Chin-Kuki militants aggression, and thus confirming that the situation in Manipur is not a conflict between ethnic groups”, said Athouba.
He lamented the complacency of the Governments while expressing his concerns for the ever-expanding narcotic businesses in Manipur, which has the potential to make Manipur a part of the infamous Golden Triangle.
Speaking on the occasion, Sogolshem Biramani, former president of European Manipuri Association, regretted the failure on the part of the Governments to contain the attacks on civilians in Manipur.
“Manipuri diaspora in London had submitted a memorandum to the Indian High Commissioner, London but without any significant outcome”, said Biramani.
The protest ended with a media briefing on the Manipur issue.
The participants also raised slogans such as; “Implement NRC in Manipur”, “Government of India must stop illicit drug trafficking in Northeast India”, “India must stop opium cultivation in Manipur”, “Territorial Integrity of Manipur cannot be comprised at any cost”, “Stop weaponizing ethnicity in Manipur” etc.
The protest was followed by a side-event as a part of the 57th UNHRC Session, 2024 in which several activists and academics from India’s Northeast region participated.
The participants in the protest event raised the pertinence of restoring normalcy in Manipur. The participants also addressed media and apprised the issues concerning Manipur in the wake of aggression on Manipur State leading to the displacement of 60,000 people and killing of nearly 230, according to a press release issued by IPSA.
Addressing the media, Khuraijam Athouba, working president of IPSA, flagged the issue of unregulated influx of Kuki-Chin foreigners from Myanmar.
He also raised the issue of India’s complacency in containing Kuki militants and their incessant attacks on the valley, facing foothills.
He raised a strong voice of protest against the ineffectiveness of 60,000 Central forces and 30,000 State armed forces in stopping the violence that erupted on May 3, 2023.
Condemning the continuation of violence in Manipur for 500 days, Athouba raised the issue of displaced persons languishing in poor living conditions in the relief camps.
Athouba also raised the issue of hostage taking situation in Manipur, referring to the abduction of two Meetei youths allegedly by Kuki militants.
He condemned hostage taking as an act of absurdity and terrorism.
“Such an act of terror re-affirms the ulterior motive of the armed immigrant Chin-Kuki militants aggression, and thus confirming that the situation in Manipur is not a conflict between ethnic groups”, said Athouba.
He lamented the complacency of the Governments while expressing his concerns for the ever-expanding narcotic businesses in Manipur, which has the potential to make Manipur a part of the infamous Golden Triangle.
Speaking on the occasion, Sogolshem Biramani, former president of European Manipuri Association, regretted the failure on the part of the Governments to contain the attacks on civilians in Manipur.
“Manipuri diaspora in London had submitted a memorandum to the Indian High Commissioner, London but without any significant outcome”, said Biramani.
The protest ended with a media briefing on the Manipur issue.
The participants also raised slogans such as; “Implement NRC in Manipur”, “Government of India must stop illicit drug trafficking in Northeast India”, “India must stop opium cultivation in Manipur”, “Territorial Integrity of Manipur cannot be comprised at any cost”, “Stop weaponizing ethnicity in Manipur” etc.
The protest was followed by a side-event as a part of the 57th UNHRC Session, 2024 in which several activists and academics from India’s Northeast region participated.