After drone attacks, UNHRC urged to probe conflict
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 03 2024: Amid escalating tension in the State after Kuki militants used drones to drop bombs on civilians, a complaint has been filed with the UN Human Rights Council to investigate the 16-month-old violent conflict.

The complaint, submitted by Debabrata Roy Laifungbam president, Elder Council of Centre for Research and Education Manipur (CORE), asserted that the Government of India and the Government of Manipur have failed to bring peace to the State even after 16 months.

It said the violent conflict between the Kuki-Zo and indigenous Meitei community in Manipur started on May 3, 2023, and it has affected the rights of the people including right to freedom of movement, right to adequate housing, right to freedom of expression, right to health, right to food, right to safe drinking water, right to life and right to freedom of religion, etc.

The complaint stressed that the National Human Rights Commission of India, Manipur Human Rights Commission and the Supreme Court of India have passed various directions to bring peace and normalcy in the State of Manipur, but both the Government of India and Government of Manipur are unable to end the conflict.

In about 16 months, the so-called communal violence has taken a different dimension with the Kuki militants using sophisticated advanced drones for bombing the civilian population in Meitei villages since September 1, said the complaint.

It added the State police has confirmed the use of drones for bombing, and it has formed a high-level "panel" to investigate the incident.

It noted that amid the conflict, there have been "serious allegations against the Indian armed forces and paramilitary forces for not taking any action against the Kuki militants who are often seen roaming around with heavy arms and ammunition, all over the State" .

The complainant then sought the UN Human Rights Council to "urgently request" the Government of India to allow an independent international investigation expert team under the auspicious of the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to investigate the ongoing violence in the State of Manipur and "neighbouring Indian States of Assam and Mizoram" .

It also sought the Human Rights Council to entrust the Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary and Arbitrary Execution an investigation into alleged extrajudicial executions in Manipur which took place from May 3, 2023 till date.

It urged the Council for the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women to investigate cases of sexual violence which took place from May 3 till date.

The complaint further sought the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearance to investigate all cases of disappearance.

It also sought the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar to investigate potential involvement of Myanmar based militants in Manipur and neighbouring provinces (States) in the current crisis in Manipur.

Notably, Kuki militants' attack using weaponized drones since September 1 has killed a woman and injured more than a dozen people including personnel of the State security forces.

Comment