Community leaders' consultative meet held
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, May 30 2014 :
'The present situation of our society in Manipur has been very much in a state of confusion which account for stagnation of development in every sphere of life,' asserted Rev Dr Tamthing Ruivanao, Chairman United NGO Mission Manipur.
The UNM-M leader was speaking during a Community Leaders Consultative Meet on International Humanitarian Law and Right to Live jointly organised by United NGO Mission Manipur, District Networking Committee and Civil Society leaders of Kangpokpi today at District Council Hall, Kangpokpi.
Rev Dr Tamthing Ruivanao further said that it is vital for every tribe or ethnic group to have aspirations.
He said that when there is mutual respect, the society will be out of danger and the people can enjoy the complete and full dignity of life.
The one day 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.
Basanta Wareppa, Advocate; Dr Ngamkhohao Haokip, Principal Kangpokpi Mission High School; Rev Dr Tamthing Ruivanao, Chairman, UNM-M and Advocate Khaidem Mani, President All Manipur Bar Association and Advocate High Court attended the meet as the resource persons.
Basanta Wareppa emphasized the importance of implementing International Humanitarian Law during war and asserted that Common Article No 3 of Geneva Convention should be followed and implemented.
While speaking on Vision Sadar Hills, Dr Ngamkhohao Haokip pointed out that due to wrong interpretation, the Govt as well as some section of the people take Sadar Hills in otherwise and rest the responsibility for its development to more than 600 village chiefs within Sadar Hills.
Dr Ngamkhohao Haokip also emphasized the need to uplift the status of education, economy, land, human resources, etc for the future generation.
There is Government but there is no governance in the State, noted Advocate Khaidem Mani who also pointed out that it is the duty of the people to elect good representative for good Governance.
While explaining the details of the alleged draconian act, Advocate Khaidem Mani pointed out the need to repeal the AFSPA completely and totally from the book of the law at the earliest.
The meet later recommended to the Government to repeal AFSPA, 1958 immediately without conditions as it violates Rights to Live and other civil and social rights while urging the Government to follow the norms of International Humanitarian Law in the armed conflict zone.
The meet also recommended the Government to stop harassment/torture of civilians by security forces and urges to protect women and girls from all form of crimes and abuses while it also urges to distributes/reach Public Distribution System to target group effectively and efficiently.
It further recommended to the non-state actors/armed political groups to stop inter-fractional fight and reconcile the differences while urging them to respect and implement the Geneva Convention 1949 Common Article 3 and additional protocol-II of 1977.Community leaders and Church leaders have also been urged to work together unitedly instead of differences in high alarming conflict zone for restoring peace and development in the state under one platform and common vision as well as common goal for future generation.
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