Imphal, January 24 2009: PERHAPS, ADHERING dearly to the adage that a 'picture speaks a thousand words', the Threatened Indigenous People's Society (TIPS), a Manipur based rights organisation has taken to photo exhibitions giving awareness to the people and raise voices against the various human rights violations and atrocities in the state.

In recent past, TIPS has organised over a series of photo exhibitions on the themes of "Right to Life" and "Crime against Humanity" besides organising conventions and seminar on related topics.

Addressing one such exhibition cum convention, Tondon Moirang Asemcha, general secretary of TIPS asserted that the main theme for organising such photo exhibitions was to spread a message and awareness to all the people of the state regarding the various killings of innocent people of the state.

And accordingly, various exhibitions and conventions were organised by the Threatened Indigenous People's Society (TIPS) .

TIPS, on the occasion of the International Human Rights day observation, December 10, 2008 organised a three day photo exhibition cum competition at the Manipur Central Youth Club in Keishampat of Imphal West.

The photo exhibition cum competition which was organised on the theme of "Crime against Humanity" was, according to reports, participated by many including media persons who put up their photos for which prizes were also given away for the best photo depicting crime against humanity.

The event was well received by the people and officials of the state in relation to the high number of participations.

Moreover, seeing the overwhelming response from the people former member of legislative assembly (MLA), Laishom Ibomcha has reportedly suggested that such exhibitions of photos related to human rights violations be held all over the state so that the people are more aware.

Having received a positive response from the people and the state officials, TIPS followed suit on the heels of this success by organising a one-day convention on "Right to Life" cum photo exhibition with the theme of "Crime against Humanity" at the Bashikhong Meira ground on Sunday, December 28, 2008.The event also reportedly received heavy response from the people of the state calling upon TIPS to organise such more events.

Commenting on the success of the exhibition, Bijoy Koijam, MLA who also spoke on the occasion of the convention and exhibition held that the photo exhibition was a proof of the fact that atrocities towards human beings in Manipur were continuing.

Calling upon the people of the state to be more aware of such crimes in the future, the MLA reportedly suggested the exhibition be carried out to other districts of the state too.

Following these successes, TIPS on January 9, 2009 further opened a three day photo exhibition on "Crime Against Humanity" at the Andro bazaar Community hall.

The exhibition was jointly organised, as per reports, by TIPS, All Andro Meira Paibi Association and the All Andro Youth Clubs' Association and turned out to a huge success with a variety of people and state officials officiating the occasion.

The height of success of the three day exhibition which ended on January 11 could perhaps be understood from the words of Th.Shyamkumar, deputy speaker of the Manipur legislative Assembly who, as per reports, stated that the exhibition had taught a new lesson to the public as well as the government.

Further stating the government would not do anything which was against the people and the law, the deputy speaker also reportedly asserted that he would help in the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, AFSPA, if the present situation of conflict in the state improved besides helping in organising such more events and exhibitions.

The exhibition also ended with a seminar on "Right to Life".

Going ahead with their success stories, TIPS on January 16 continued this story by opening another three day photo exhibition cum convention on "Right to Life" at Yaingangpokpi bazaar, Imphal East.

Addressing the event, Kh.

Ibomcha, a social worker reportedly pointed out that the people of the state were denied the fundamental rights which were granted by the Indian Constitution during to the ongoing AFSPA.

On the other hand, addressing the concluding day on January 18, Moirang Asemcha, general secretary of TIPS observed that Manipur was going through hell at the moment due to the daily reported instances of killings.

The general secretary laid emphasise on the harmful effects of AFSPA.

However, what was worth noting of all these exhibitions and conventions was that it spread the message of "Right to Life" and "Crime against Humanity".

The pictures spoke against violation of human rights especially in the colonial legacy of AFSPA.

And the effect of these exhibitions could perhaps be well understood from the fact that a young girl and a lady reportedly fainted after seeing pictures of 'crime against humanity' at one such exhibition in Andro.

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