Imphal, August 04 2010: Expressing concern over the recurrent act of targeting and killing non-locals by armed persons in Imphal area, Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) has appealed to all right thinking individuals to condemn such reprehensible acts and work towards preventing further recurrence.

Furthermore, NPMHR appealed to those responsible to stop perpetrating such acts in future.

In a statement issued by its press liaison, NPMHR pointed out that respect for the rights of others, irrespective of race, caste, class, origin, etc is a pre-requisite for peaceful coexistence of all communities.

So such acts of violence perpetrated against any individual is self-defeating and against the very principle of self-determination.

Noting that present killing of non-locals is not a new phenomena for similar killings have been witnessed over the past few months, NPMHR asserted that the inability to prevent such violent acts repeatedly is a clear indication of the ineptitude of the Ibobi Singh led Government.

The Government therefore is morally obliged to own responsibility.

NPMHR pointed out that temporary measures such as herding together non-locals into relief camps are just facewash and would not in any way contribute to the prevention of such violent incidents.

What is urgently required is a holistic examination and understanding of the concerns of the people in Manipur and addressing them through meaningful participatory governance.

However, the present Govt led by Ibobi Singh is more interested in perpetuating hegemonic politics instead of addressing the concerns of the people, NPMHR alleged, adding forceful conduct of elections to ADC is a reminder of the divisive politics that the Govt has been playing and the tribal bodies in the recently convened meeting on the issue is indicative of the discontent of the hill people over the issue.

NPMHR further said that the attempt to impose a 'uniform land policy' upon the tribals is another example of high-handed politics which the majority community of Manipur are indulging with active encouragement from Chief Minister Ibobi Singh and his Govt.This effort to infringe and erode the rights of the tribal people over their land is a neo-colonialistic design of the majority community, NPMHR said, while urging all tribal communities to actively oppose such acts.

Urging the Govt to protect the life of all individuals and immediately stop the discriminatory divisive politics that is being played, NPMHR reiterated the call to all State and non-State armed groups to respect the rights of every individual irrespective of race, caste, class, origin, etc.

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