State joins in observing Intl Human Rights Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 10 2015: The International Human Rights Day was observed today at various places of the State.

Sharmila Kanba Lup organised the day at Lamyanba Shanglen with the theme 'repeal AFSPA and respect human rights' .

Soibam Momon Leima, convener of SAKAL, vice president of UCM Sunil Karam and adviser of Mapi Council Th Manihar were the presidium members of the function.

Speaking at the occasion, S Momon said that the struggle of Irom Sharmila for 15 years for the repeal of AFSPA from the State is for the people of the State.

As such, people of the State should support Sharmila.

President of AMKIL Ph Sakhi, former Assistant Registrar of MU Dr Kullabidhu, IPHAM secretary Y Idina, secretary of Nupi Samaj Kh Lamani also spoke during the function.

Centre for Human Rights and Duties Education, Manipur University organised International Human Rights Day observance under the theme 'Our Rights, Our Freedom, Always,' today at the lecture hall of Human Rights Centre, MU.

Dr RK Nimai, Govt consultant; SSK Sharma, chairperson, Manipur State Child Rights Protection Commission; Oinam Biren, member of Manipur State Commission for OBC; Prof Ksh Bimola Devi, former Dean, School of Social Science, MU were the chief guest, guests of honour and president respectively.

Naga Women Union (NWU), Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) jointly organised the International Human Rights Day at Tribal Research Institute.

The observance on the theme 'Our Rights, Our Freedom, Always' was attended by all units of NWU and ANSAM and Naga civil society leaders including the former United Naga Council president Adani Mao.

Seth Shatsang, president ANSAM said, "Our rights are intruded on various fronts by the State itself and the indigenous people have to be mindful of such paradox operating against our interest.

We need to collectively continue asserting our rights and our freedom without surrendering this inherent justice to the discriminative powers.

"Land is crucial to the definition of our rights and hence management and ownership of our land should remain with the indigenous people.

The State should not threaten our ability and deprive us of this dependency on our land.

Instead the State should recognize the existing social and political structures of indigenous people," remarked T Tabitha, president NWU.

Lokho Chalai and Ngalayo Makan presented tributary songs on freedom and rights.

Ningreichon Tungshang, former convenor NPMHR also presented a patriotic poem on the occasion.

The gathering also extended their solidarity to the nine individuals who were killed in Churachandpur.

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