The International Human Rights Association (IHRA), Manipur said that Manipur has experienced a huge violation of human rights for the past many years.
It has been internationally known since thousands of lives were lost in fake encounters carried out by the state government. It is now fit to be kept under strict human rights obligation for the rescue of common men’s rights and dignity of life, the IHRA said.
President of IHRA, Manipur Mark Thangmang Haokip said that ‘human rights’ is not considered seriously under Biren led-state government and the Centre must know it. He continued that many violations of human rights committed by the government were exposed in daylight, however, nothing has been improved. This means that the state government has no concern of human rights in the state, he added.
“Chassad village in Kamjong district was heinously burnt down by their neighboring Sampui villagers since March 15, 2020 due to small unusual conflicts that broke out between the two villages. At that time, the state government had obstructed justice to be delivered to the victims. It seems the chief minister had acquitted the criminals for the crime,” Thangmang alleged.
In this connection, IHRA had written a petition to the Union Home Minister to do a CBI inquiry but nothing was done for bringing justice to the Chassid villagers. The chief of Chassad was also threatened not to file Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the state High Court, he added.
He also said that human rights are less considered in Manipur and even activists are as well less concerned by the state government. As such, Manipur is a failed state in the eyes of universal human rights as per Article 19 and 20 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, he asserted.
The IHRA Manipur said that according to Article 19, everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference and everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice. The article also stated that the exercise of the rights provided for in paragraph 2 of this article carries with it special duties and responsibilities. It may therefore be subjected to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary: (a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others; (b) For the protection of national security or public order (order public), or public health or morals.
The Article 20 stated that any propaganda for war shall be prohibited by law and any advocacy of national, racial, or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence shall be prohibited by law, he added. He also said that apart from violating human rights, freedom of expression is also arbitrarily dismissed in Manipur and the citizens have no room for freedom of speech.
He continued that hard evidence is with IHRA that the state government is also directly involved in corruption over the extension of Asian Highway-1, where fair compensation is denied for the affected families and communities. In this regard, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) had carried out a survey programme to compensate the affected families. However, the authority concerned did not follow the norms set by ADB and improper compensation was given to them without proper agreement with and consent of the affected families, violating the Land Acquisition Act 2013, he said.
He further said that at this point, ADB needs to bring forth a ‘White Paper’ to solve the hidden corruption involved in Asian Highway-1 between Pallel (Pallen) to Moreh integrated bypass road or every blame shall befall on the head of ADB.
ADB should bring forth the white paper related to its survey and estimated amount sanctioned for the affected families within seven days or ADB shall be highly condemned for the corruption charges and IHRA will boycott the ongoing construction until fair compensation is given to the affected families and communit
