In a bid to draw the attention of UNHCR, the Government of India and international community to the ongoing violence in Manipur since May 3, 2023, the Meetei diaspora in Europe and activists from India’s northeastern region came together in front of the Broken Chair, at the United Nations, Geneva Office in wake of 57th Session of the UNHRC.
During the protest, participants raised the pertinence of restoring normalcy in Manipur, stated a release issued by Secretary IPR, IPSA, Akoijam Bishwajit on Monday. They also apprised the issues concerning the state in wake of aggression, leading to the displacement of 60,000 people and nearly 230 killed, it stated.
Addressing the media, working president IPSA, Khuraijam Athouba, flagged off the issue of unregulated influx of Kuki-Chin foreigners from Myanmar, it asserted. He raised the issue of India’s complacency in containing Kuki militants and their increscent attacks on valley-facing foothills, it mentioned.
He further registered his voice of protest against the ineffectivity 60,000 central forces and 30,000 state armed forces in stopping the violence, it stated.
Condemning the continuation of violence in the state for 500 days, Athouba raised the issue of displaced persons languishing in poor living conditions in the relief camps, it noted.
He highlighted the issue of hostage taking situation in Manipur in reference to the abduction of two Meetei youths allegedly by Kuki militants and condemned the act of absurdity and terrorism, it asserted.
"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 deploring complacency of the governments while expressing his concerns for the ever-expanding narcotic businesses in Manipur, which was to potentially make Manipur a part of the infamous Golden Triangle, it stated.
Speaking at the event, former president of European Manipuri Association, Sagolshem Biramani, regretted the alleged failure on part of the governments to contain the attacks on civilians in Manipur, it maintained.
He said that the Manipuri diaspora in London had submitted a memorandum to the Indian High Commissioner, London but without any significant outcome, it mentioned.
Protestors raised slogans including ‘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’ and ‘Stop weaponizing ethnicity in Manipur’, it stated.
The protest was followed by a side-event as a part of the 57th UNHRC Session in which several activists and academics from India’s northeast region and participated, it added.
