Consultative meet of community leaders held
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Kangpokpi, May 31 2014 : The present situation in Manipur has been in a state of confusion which account for stagnation of development in every sphere of life, Rev.Dr.Tathing Ruivanao, Chairman of United NGO Mission Manipur has asserted, before adding that arithmetically we have only minus and divide attitude so far and now its time to convert into plus and multiply attitude.

The UNM-M Chief was speaking during a Community Leaders' Consultative Meet on International Humanitarian Law and Right to Live jointly organized by United NGO Mission Manipur, District Networking Committee and Civil Society leaders of Kangpokpi at District Council Hall, Kangpokpi here on Friday.

It is vital for every tribe or ethnic group to have aspirations for growth and development.

When people recognize, appreciate and respect one another, the society will be out of danger and they can live a dignified life in peace, he observed.

The day-long consultative meet was attended by members of Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills, KSO Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi Town Committee, Kangpokpi Women Welfare Organization, Kangpokpi Youth Union, Chiefs of various village authority, religious leaders, students, academicians and partners NGOs, etc.

Advocate Basanta Wareppa, Principal of Kangpokpi Mission High School Dr.Ngamkhohao Haokip, Advocate Khaidem Mani who is also the President All Manipur Bar Association were among the resource persons who attended the meet and spoke on topics related to International Humanitarian Law; Vision Sadar Hills; Present Situation and Future Perspective as well as AFSPA and its contradiction to Right to Live, etc.

At the end of the meet, various recommendations were also adopted.

These included urging the Government to repeal AFSPA, 1958 immediately without conditions as it violates Rights to Live and other civil and social rights, to follow the norms of International Humanitarian Law in the armed conflict zone, to stop harassment/torture of civilians by security forces, to protect women and girls from all form of crimes and abuses, to ensure reaching of items provided under the Public Distribution System to target group effectively and efficiently.

The meet further recommended to the Non-state actors/armed political groups to stop inter-fractional fight and reconcile the differences as well as to respect and implement the Geneva Convention 1949 Common Article 3 and additional protocol-II of 1977 .

Lastly, the meet the recommended to the Community leaders and Church leaders to work together unitedly for restoring peace and development in the state under one platform and common vision as well as common goal for future generation.

Comment