Biren's resignation chance to end violence: Al
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 11 2025: Following the resignation of N Biren as the chief minister of Manipur, Amnesty International (AI) has called the same as an opportunity, urging the authorities to uphold human rights and end the ongoing violence in the state.

Aakar Patel, chair of the board at Amnesty International India, stated that Biren's resignation presents an opportunity for the authorities to ensure human rights for everyone, break away from past violence and impunity, and work towards ending the ethnic violence that has claimed over 250 lives in the last two years.

He criticised the BJP-led governments both at state and central levels, stating that they have "utterly failed to end the violence in Manipur, impunity of vigilante groups, and the divisive rhetoric that has flamed the ethnic violence".

He further alleged that their actions have resulted in the repression of dissenting voices and an ongoing humanitarian crisis in the state.

Expressing concern over the failure to hold accountable those suspected of serious human rights violations, Aakar Patel warned, "By the continued failure to hold to account those suspected to be responsible for serious human rights violations, the government risks sending the message that the impunity for these violations will continue.

This in turn will fuel further violations" .

He pointed out that while emblematic cases, such as the nude parade of two Kuki women in May 2023 - where the Manipur police were found complicit - have been taken over by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), many lesser-known cases continue to struggle for attention from both the state and central governments.

"This must change," he asserted.

It may be mentioned that in July, 2024, Amnesty International had documented a report on the violence and impunity in Manipur.

The report criticised the BJP led government for failing to curb violence between Meetei and Kuki communities.

The report, however, focused on alleged atrocities committed by Meetei vigilante groups accusing them of looting weapons, attacking Kuki villages, and committing gender-based violence but made no mention of Kuki groups which have also been accused of attacking Meeteis and looting weapons.

While highlighting police inaction against the Meetei perpetrators, the report failed to acknowledge violence against Meetei civilians in Kuki-dominated areas.

It also criticised chief minister Biren for his alleged anti Kuki rhetoric but did not address inflammatory statements by Kuki leaders.

Amnesty's report describes displacement among the Kuki community but does not mention that thousands of Meeteis have also been forced to flee their homes.

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