Imphal, June 13 2009: The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) expressed deep concerned over the Cabinet decision of the Government of Manipur (GoM) which resolved to send more security forces�India Reserve Battalion and Manipur Police Commandos- into the four hill districts of Manipur.

A statement issued by the NPMHR (S) convenor, S Phamhring noted that with the arrival of IRB personnel in Ukhrul and Senapati districts of Manipur, the tendency of the GoM to use militarisation and force as a means of handling any situation, irrespective of whether militarisation and force is needed or not, has once again been reinforced.

The Naga rights' body also conveyed its firm belief that more military personnel will not solve any of the problems faced by the people in the hills, but will instead result in more human rights violations and the contravention of the rule of law and justice.

"The disposition of the GoM to use the military as part of their governance agenda is an indication of their pitiable inability to grasp and appreciate the problems of the common people, especially those living in the hill districts," it observes.

Asserting that the problems faced by the people in the hills do not require more military personnel the statement pointed out that the problems require well thought out strategies and policies that will address root causes of inequality in distribution of resources, strengthen and empower civil societies and citizens, and the exercise of governance that respect and strengthen human rights.

It further doubts the discipline, reputation, and conduct of IRB and Manipur Police Commando personnel while stating that IRB personnel were implicated in the recent dastardly killing of Prof.Islammudin of Manipur University.

"IRB and Manipur Police Commandos have also been responsible for a number of extra-judicial killings and fake encounters over the years.

Instead of upholding the law, they themselves are responsible for grave human rights violations," it noted.

The statement also points out that the Imphal valley, which has a high concentration of IRB and Manipur Police Commandos, suffer from extreme violence and killings everyday.

The rights' body also challenges the GoM as to why a number of innocent Non-Manipuris are being killed every other day despite the presence of IRB and Manipur Police Commandos in every nooks and crannies of Imphal? "Has their presence reduced the number of criminal incidences in any way and do they brook confidence as effective peace-keepers in the Imphal valley?," it asks rhetorically.

The NPMHR also accuses the Manipur government of allocating huge chunks of the budgets in militarisation.

It further laments that instead of focusing on long-term goals, the GoM has been ineptly hoping that militarisation will address the problems in Manipur.

Since it is apparent that militarisation doesn't solve the problems of the state, rather causing more problems and hampered development, the statement reminds that the root cause of armed-conflict in Manipur, which has crippled the state, lies in the social and economic injustices suffered by the people.

It also suggests that efforts should be made to address these injustices rather than use force to further curtail and limit the human rights of citizens while drawing the attention to the fact that the four hill districts of Manipur has been much more peaceful and less violent than other parts of Manipur.

"We would like to question whether the GoM wants to break this tranquility to get political gains by sending in more military into these districts?", it poses.

The NPMHR then demands the Government of Manipur to immediately revoke the Cabinet Decision dated May 19, 2009 and withdraw the IRB personnel already sent to Ukhrul and Senapati Districts.

It also urges the Government of Manipur to sincerely focus their attention on addressing the socio-economic and cultural inequities faced by the people living in the hills, and demand that the Government of Manipur involve the people of the hills in every process that involves their future and fate.

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