IT News
Imphal, Oct 1:
In an effort to highlight the ongoing violence in Manipur, which has persisted since May 3, 2023, the Meitei diaspora in Europe, alongside activists from India’s northeastern region, staged a protest in front of the Broken Chair at the United Nations Office in Geneva. The demonstration coincided with the 57th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), aiming to draw attention from the UNHCR, the Indian government, and the international community to the escalating crisis.
Protesters called for the restoration of normalcy in Manipur, emphasizing the severe impact of the violence, which has resulted in the displacement of 60,000 people and nearly 230 deaths. Addressing the media, Khuraijam Athouba, Working President of the International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), raised critical concerns about the unregulated influx of Kuki-Chin foreigners from Myanmar, which he linked to the growing unrest in the region.
Athouba criticized the Indian government’s failure to contain Kuki militants, pointing to their increasing attacks on valley-facing foothills. He also condemned the ineffectiveness of the 60,000 central forces and 30,000 state armed forces stationed in Manipur, who have been unable to quell the violence that erupted over 500 days ago. He expressed deep concern for the displaced populations, who continue to suffer in poor living conditions in relief camps.
Highlighting the recent abduction of two Meitei youths, allegedly by Kuki militants, Athouba condemned such hostage-taking as an act of terrorism. He stressed that this violence further confirms that the situation in Manipur is not merely an ethnic conflict but a larger aggression by armed Kuki-Chin immigrants. He also raised alarms about the expansion of narcotic activities in Manipur, warning that the state risks becoming part of the infamous Golden Triangle unless swift action is taken.
Former President of the European Manipuri Association, Sogolshem Biramani, also spoke during the protest, expressing regret over the failure of governments to protect civilians. He referenced a memorandum submitted by the Manipuri diaspora in London to the Indian High Commissioner, which, according to him, had yielded no significant results.
The protest concluded with a media briefing, during which participants raised slogans demanding the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur, the cessation of illicit drug trafficking in Northeast India, and a firm stance on preserving Manipur’s territorial integrity. They also called for an end to the weaponization of ethnicity in the ongoing conflict.
Following the protest, a side event was held as part of the 57th UNHRC Session, where activists and academics from India’s northeast participated. IPSA, in coordination with its collective of civil society organizations, is actively working with Athouba to maximize the impact of his presence at the United Nations in Geneva.
