Manipur Violence Discussed at UNHRC Side Event in Geneva
CONFLICT
Imphal: The ongoing conflict in Manipur took center stage at a side event during the 57th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) held in Geneva.
The session, titled, “Manipur Crisis and Human Rights Situation in the Western South-East Asia (WESEA) Region”, brought together activists and academics from India and Bangladesh to discuss the 500-day-old crisis in the region. The event was moderated by Dr. Elangbam Bishwajeet, Visiting Professor at Aston University, UK.
Panelists included Khuraijam Athouba, Working President of the International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA); Dr. Arambam Noni, Associate Professor at D.M. University, Manipur; Mrs. Dilara Malique, Advisor to the Swiss-Bangladesh Women Association; and Punam Duhotia, a prominent human rights defender.
In his presentation, Khuraijam Athouba offered a comprehensive analysis of the conflict’s root causes, citing unchecked immigration, cross-border insurgency, and the rise of ethnic tensions. He claimed that 90% of the attacks reported in Manipur were unprovoked assaults by Kuki militants, adding that foreign insurgent groups, such as the Zomi Revolutionary Army, were contributing to the unrest.
Athouba highlighted that the proliferation of illegal opium cultivation has exacerbated the crisis, with Manipur’s forests being encroached upon by these illegal activities.
Dr. Arambam Noni emphasized the multi-ethnic character of Manipur and criticized the demands for an ethno-centric homeland as divisive and outdated. He warned that ethnic politics, driven by a section of elites and academics, are deepening inter-community tensions and undermining Manipur’s pluralistic fabric.
The other panelists, Mrs. Dilara Malique and Punam Duhotia, addressed broader human rights issues in Bangladesh and the impact of mega-dam projects in Northeast India, respectively.
Concluding the session, Dr. Bishwajeet appealed for an immediate end to violence in Manipur and called for the safe release of two youths reportedly held captive by Kuki militants. The discussion underscored the need for a balanced approach to address human rights concerns in the region.