CRAM secretary attends UN's PFII
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 18 2016:
Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRAM) secretary and Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur member Jiten Yumnam attended the 15th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFII) underway at UN Headquarters in New York.
The session started from May 9 and will continue wil May 20.Speaking at PFII, Yumnam Jiten shared how Manipur continues to face an armed conflict and how the Government of India continues to adopt military responses under AFSPA, 1958, said a statement issued by CRAM president Sanaton Laishram.
Jiten explained how AFSPA has long been controversial for the extraordinary powers conferred to the armed forces and the violations unleashed under the Act on indigenous communities of Manipur.
Recalling how several UN Human Rights officials have already recommended repeal of AFSPA for its prolonged violation of indigenous people's rights, he urged the UN PFII to urge the Government of India to repeal the draconian Act.
Jiten also shared the pattern of corporatization and expropriation of indigenous people's land and natural resources in Manipur, without respecting their self- determination.
The targeting of people's land and resources both by the State and corporate bodies for pursuance of mega dams, oil exploration and mining and other infrastructure projects with tacit facilitation of international financial institutions, viz, Asian Development Bank and World Bank etc will worsen human rights and survival challenges of the indigenous people, Jiten said.
He further said that the ongoing efforts to complete Mapithel dam by blocking Thoubal river, the proposed move to construct 1500 MW Tipaimukh dam, signing of four MoUs on August 28, 2014 between Government and the North East Electric Power Corporation for the construction of four mega dams over Barak river without the affected people's consent is an effort to undermine indigenous people's self-determined development over their land.
The Government has also granted license to Jubilant Oil and Gas Private Limited, for exploration and drilling works in two oil blocks in Manipur without people's consent, he said and added that policies such as North East India Hydrocarbon vision, 2030 and Manipur hydro power policy, 2012 are framed to undermine people's rights over their land and resources.
Jiten also spoke on how the infusion of non-indigenous population in indigenous territories has also led to land alienation, marginalization of indigenous communities and multifaceted conflicts.
He also urged the Government of India to undertake a comprehensive conflict resolution process inclusive of inter and intra communities in Manipur and in North East India, based on recognition of their human rights.
He further urged to end militarization and to stop the infusion of non- indigenous population in Manipur without their consent.
The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur and the CSO coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and UN urged the Government of India to respect and recognize indigenous people's self-determination and self-determined rights of indigenous people over their land and resources and to stop all unsustainable development process pursued in Manipur.
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