15 Manipur CSOs Seeks UN's Attention on Manipur's Present Ethnic Conflict
HY News
14 June, 2023 05:08 pm IST
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Manipur CSOs Seeks UN's Attention on Manipur's Present Ethnic Conflict
In the wake of the present ethnic tension between the Kukis and the Meiteis since May 3, 2023, A Collective of 15 (Fifteen) Organizations belonging to various communities of Manipur have apprised the United Nations General Assembly, New York of the situation of Human Rights violations and Humanitarian issues in Manipur. The collective has submitted Memoranda to various allied Offices and Agencies of the United Nations calling for urgent attention on the issue of hunger, poverty, militarization, the partisan role of the central security forces of India, and unabated violation of Tripartite Suspension of Operation Ground Rules by the Kuki militants. The petition condemns the participation of armed Kuki militants in combat uniform in the so-called ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ of May 3, 2023, organized by the All Manipur Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur (ATSUM) as the triggering point for the present tense for which the Collective of 15 demands for urgent probe and befitting punishment.
The Memorandum has underscored the breach of inter-community ties and peace in Manipur and the entire Northeastern region due to the evident involvement of foreign Chin-Kuki-Mizo (Myanmarese) mercenaries in inciting inter-ethnic violence in Manipur. ‘An unbiased international attention and intervention is the need of the hour in accordance with the established International Humanitarian Laws’, claims the Memorandum. The memorandum seeks to draw the attention of the United Nations to the issues of human rights violations and the blockade of lifeline-like highways by the Kuki militant groups under the Suspension of Operation. The involvement of the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), and Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) in blocking the National Highways, disallowing free movement of people and transportation of essential commodities has been termed as ‘inhuman’ and ‘genocidal attitude’ for causing enormous price rise, poverty, and hunger in the state of Manipur. The issue of drug cartels and their ever-expanding financing network in the social and political life of the Northeast region and India-Myanmar borderland has been placed before the UN.
Explicating the origin of the present ethnic tension, the petition argues that ‘the mobilization for Greater Chin-Kuki Homeland also known as Zalen’gam project has continuously impaired inter-ethnic relations in the region.’ The submission has highlighted how the ethnic Zo politics has worked in collusion with the narco-finance capital terror network driven by clan-based ethnic militant groups thereby making easy inroads into electoral politics and institutions of power. Delving on the issue, ‘cross-border insidious economic activities like human trafficking, poppy cultivation, deforestation, illegal immigration, ecological issues, and space politics complicate’ the state, argues the petition. Giving a non-ethnicized perspective on the drug economy and its menace, the petition argues that ‘the region has transformed itself from a consumer to an opium producer which is a cause of alarm for every ethnic identity’.
The petition apprises the UN to understand the historically distinct shared democratic, and plural body polity of Manipur. The democratic participation of Nagas, Meiteis, Kukis, and Pangals (Manipur Muslims) in the independent Constitutional and modern state-making process in Manipur has been highlighted to acquaint the UN with the fraternal political history of Manipur. The Memorandum stresses the inter-connected topography of Manipur as it apprises the international community to know that 3-4% of Manipur’s valley is home to nearly 60% state’s population which warrants the envisioning of democratic and just land laws. Highlighting the issue of demography and geopolitics, the Memorandum cites the issue of the influx of foreigners, the inability on the part of the Government of India to implement the National Registrar of Citizens and Zo exclusive Greater Homeland territorial project as among the key concerns that are to prove inimical to ethnic harmony, integrity, and peace in Manipur.
The Collective of 15 has submitted the said Memorandum to (1) The Secretary-General (2) the International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva (3) Under-Secretary-General (4) the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) (5) UN Civil Society Section (6) Amnesty International and (7) ICRC, India Chapter (8) UNODC, Asia. The collective of fifteen organizations has placed the following pledge before the UN agencies.
- The violation of International Humanitarian Laws by the Chin-Kuki militants under SoO should be probed and punished under established international norms.
- That the role of Kuki militants under SoO in inciting and provoking ethnic tension be probed as per the IHL and established constitutional provisions and rules of the Suspension of Operation ground rules. That the disproportionate use of violence and weapons against civilians by the Chin-Kuki militants be restrained and investigated.
- The UN should mandate the ICRC to extend its humanitarian relief and services to all the victims of the present violence.
- That the UN should apprise the Indian state to uphold the territorial and administrative integrity of Manipur.
- That the free movement of people on the national highways and transportation of essential goods including food be ensured. That the services of the Red Cross (India) and media access be ensured in Kuki militant-dominated areas.
- That an investigation should be made on the proliferation of narco-cartel organized violent networks, small arms trade, and its long-term ramifications on youths and ethnic harmony in Manipur.
- That the United Nations and ICRC extend their support in rehabilitation and reparation for the damages and losses inflicted by the conflict.
- That the Government of India and the Central Security establishments be apprised to ensure, act responsibly, and provide adequate security measures in vulnerable and sensitive areas so that the communities displaced can return to their original settlement areas.
- And, that a UN/ ICRC mission be sent to Manipur for peacebuilding and aid.
The memorandum was undersigned by All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO), Committee on Human Rights (COHR), National Research Centre (NRC), Porei Leimarol Meirapaibi Apunba Lup Manipur (PLMPAM), Indigenous People’s Forum (IPF), Irabot Foundation Manipur (IFM), All Manipur Ethnical Socio-Cultural Organisation (AMESCO), All Manipur Meitei Pangal Clubs Organisation (AMMPCO), Manipur International Youth Centre (MIYC), Pangal Students’ Organisation (PSO), All Manipur Women’s Voluntary Association (AMAWOVA), Manipur Students’ Federation (MSF), Centre for Research and Advocacy Manipur (CRAM), Youths Foundation for Fitness and Service Manipur (YOFFS), All Manipur Manpower Upliftment Centre (AMMUC).
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