Urgent Plea for Justice: Emotional Manipur Violence Exposed at Compelling UNHRC Geneva Event
Guwahati: The Manipur conflict took the spotlight during a side event at the 57th United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session in Geneva. Titled “Manipur Crisis and Human Rights Situation in the Western South-East Asia (WESEA) Region,” the session gathered activists and academics from India and Bangladesh to discuss the ongoing crisis, which has persisted for over 500 days.
The event, moderated by Elangbam Bishwajeet, a visiting professor at Aston University, included panelists such as Khuraijam Athouba, working president of the International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), Arambam Noni, an associate professor at Manipur’s D.M. University, Swiss-Bangladesh Women Association advisor Dilara Malique, and human rights defender Punam Duhotia.
Khuraijam Athouba attributed the conflict to unchecked immigration, cross-border insurgency, and rising ethnic tensions, reporting that 90% of the assaults were allegedly unprovoked attacks by Kuki militants. He also mentioned foreign insurgent groups like the Zomi Revolutionary Army contributing to the unrest. Athouba highlighted illegal poppy cultivation as exacerbating the crisis, with Manipur’s forests being adversely affected.
Arambam Noni emphasized Manipur’s multi-ethnic nature, rejecting calls for an ethno-centric homeland as divisive. He warned against ethnic politics propagated by certain elites, which threaten Manipur’s pluralistic society.
Panelists Dilara Malique and Punam Duhotia discussed broader human rights concerns in Bangladesh and the impact of mega-dam projects in Northeast India, respectively.
Concluding the session, Bishwajeet urged an immediate end to the violence in Manipur and called for the safe release of youths reportedly held captive by Kuki militants. The discussion highlighted the necessity of a balanced approach to address human rights issues in the region.
Original Story https://nenow.in/north-east-news/manipur-violence-discussed-at-unhrc-side-event-in-geneva.html
Category : Manipur,Northeast News,Top News
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