Manipur violence was discussed during a side-event of the 57th Session of UNHRC in Geneva on September 30. Panelists and others deliberated on the violence in Manipur since May 3, 2023.
TFM Report
Khuraijam Athouba, Working President–IPSA has claimed that data collected from major newspapers indicate that 90% of attacks on civilians in the Manipur violence were “unprovoked attacks” from armed Kuki miliants.
He was speaking at a side-event of the 57th Session of UNHRC in Geneva on September 30, 2024. In this significant session, several activists and academics from India–Bangladesh region came together to deliberate on the 500 days of violence in Manipur. The theme of the session was “Manipur Crisis and Human Rights Situation in Western South (East) Asia (WESEA) Region”.
On the occasion, Khuraijam Athouba presented a panoramic view on Manipur violence along with a database titled “Understanding Manipur Crisis: Its Causes and Impacts”. While referring to reported incidences of attacks on civilians, Athouba highlighted that according to newspaper reports, 90% of attacks were unprovoked attacks from Kuki miliants.
Athouba highlighted the dangers of the proposed lebensraum for Kukis as propagated by one P.S. Haokip. His presentation was largely confined to factual information he has gathered over the last one year and half, said a source. Athouba also claimed that several Chin-Kuki armed underground leaders were having “trans-national origins” and marked the dangers associated with this fact.
The session was moderated by Elangbam Bishwajeet, visiting Professor at Aston University, United Kingdom. Khuraijam Athouba, Working President–IPSA, Arambam Noni, Associate Professor, D.M. University, Manipur, Punam Duhotia, Human Rights Defender and Dilara Malique, Advisor, Swiss Bangladesh Women Association also took part as panel members in the discussion.
Other speakers from Manipur dwelt upon the continued violence, its causes and regional ramifications. Initiating the discussion, Bishwajeet pointed out the need for objective understanding of Manipur violence without falling into the trap of widespread disinformation campaigns.
The third panelist Dilara Malique, Advisor Swiss Bangladesh Women Association spoke on the issues concerning human rights in Bangladesh. While the fourth panelist Punam Duhotia, Human Rights Defender spoke in length on the issues concerning mega-dam projects in Indias northeast India, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh. Punam talked about the issues of displacement and ecological impact in the seismically active zones like the Northeast India.
The one hour side event session was concluded with an appeal from Dr Elangbam Bishwajeet, the Moderator of the session, to end the violence in Manipur. Bishwajeet also appealed for the safe release of the two youths in Manipur allegedly held hostage by the Kuki militants on humanitarian grounds.