Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 19, 2009:
The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) has expressed shock at the extent to which the Government of Manipur has gone in throttling the voice of dissent by her citizens while also conveying the solidarity of the Naga people with the agitation of the people of the state.
A statement issued by Dr..NVenuh, secretary general of Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights noted that curtailing the democratic movement for engagement with the state is serious enough, but the arrest and torture allegations of civil society leaders, is an issue that can haunt the Government for a long time.
Stating that the agitations spearheaded by the Working Committee of Apunba Lup (WCAL) formed by the Apunba Lup against those responsible for the July 23 Khwairamband incident is justified, considering the grievousness of the crime.
Expressing serious concern over the safety of the lives of all the civil society leaders who were arrested in the recent past, the NPMHR stated that securing a transparent and bold response from the State of Manipur is a right her people must not be denied.
"The Nagas stand by the Meitei people in these harsh times and raise our hand in solidarity with them.
The Meiteis have the right to defend her people against violation of their human rights by the State in any form," it conveyed.
It noted that the Naga people also continue to face grim situations in Manipur evinced by the physical assault on a Naga man at Makhan Centre, along the National Highway - 39 on the same day of the Apunba Lup arrests.
It stated this unprovoked attack only demonstrates utter lack of respect to human values by the Manipur Rifles and its commandos and the hate that has been engineered against their own people.
Expressing hope that a solution will be arrived at between the Government of Manipur and the Apunba Lup agitators by a process of dialogue based on mutual respect, the statement further urged the Government of Manipur to restore the civil and democratic space, by releasing the arrested leaders so that an atmosphere is created for a dialogue, rather than using force to submit.