IT News
Imphal, Oct 13:
The International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), Kangleipak, in collaboration with its allied organizations PANDM, ACOAM LUP, IPAK, KSA, LIYA LUP, KANGLAMEI, KIL, CLK, AKSIL, MIKL and SWA, hosted a felicitation ceremony today to honor Khuraijam Athouba, Working President of IPSA and Spokesperson for COCOMI, and Dr. Arambam Noni Meitei, Associate Professor at DM University, Imphal. The event celebrated their advocacy campaign during the 57th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland.
Khuraijam Athouba, Working President of IPSA, and Dr. Arambam Noni, Associate Professor at DM University, were honoured for their pledge to uphold the non-derogable integrity of Manipur and advocate for an end to the ongoing violence during the 57th UNHRC side events in Geneva. Activists, members of the diaspora, and academicians from the Western South East Asian region (including India’s Northeast) gathered to address the continued violence in Manipur since May 3, 2023. Despite the heavy deployment of central armed forces, inter-ethnic tensions persist in the region.
Two events were organized to shed light on the situation, a solidarity protest to demand an end to Kuki armed violence in front of the UN Headquarters in Geneva, followed by a side-event discussion on the Manipur crisis. Participants included individuals from Manipur and the region, with the Manipuri diaspora from the UK playing a pivotal role in these activities on September 30, 2024. These events were held during the 57th Session of the UNHRC, and attendees condemned the “500- day-long violence” in Manipur, calling for global attention to the situation.
The events surrounding the Manipur crisis attracted key delegates from the European Union, India, Bangladesh, Switzerland, Colombia, Africa Union and representatives from various international NGOs, media outlets, and special rapporteurs.
The active participation of the Manipuri diaspora based in Europe and the UK played a crucial role in bringing attention to the plight of Manipur’s people.
Amid ongoing missile and drone-propelled bomb attacks by Kuki militants targeting civilians, the panelists urged the international community to press the Government of India to take decisive action. They called for a halt to the ethnic violence and for the protection of the territorial integrity of Manipur.
IPSA expressed its gratitude for the widespread media coverage and the strong public support for their campaign. Both Athouba and Dr. Noni reaffirmed the importance of engaging with international platforms to counter disinformation, promote peace, and secure Manipur’s future. IPSA also highlighted the progress in setting an objective narrative regarding Manipur’s distinct historical and political identity.
