UNHRC urged to address immigration, narco-terrorism in Manipur
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 20 2024: In a compelling address at the 57th Session of United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Khuraijam Athouba, who is not only the working president of International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) but also the vice-president of United Committee Manipur (UCM), has called for urgent international attention towards the unchecked immigration crisis, narco-terrorism, and environmental impact of illegal poppy cultivation in Manipur.

Athouba emphasised the need for the global community to prioritise indigenous people's rights, recognising the growing threat of narco-terrorism in the region, and assess the environmental damage caused by illegal opium cultivation, which threatens global climate goals and food security.

According to a statement issued by IPSA, Athouba, who is also the spokesperson of Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), sought urgent attention towards the escalating human rights crisis in Manipur and emphasised the devastating impact of unchecked immigration and narco-terrorism on indigenous communities, while warning of a growing humanitarian and security threat in the region.

Athouba's address came during the general debate on Agenda Item 3, "Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, including the right to development".

His intervention, delivered at 11:18 am CEST, highlighted the alarming rise in violence in Manipur due to "immigrant armed groups" and their involvement in illegal opium cultivation and cross-border narco-terrorism.

In his address, Athouba expressed grave concern over the spread of narco-terrorism in the region, describing the creation of a "new Golden Triangle" along the India-Myanmar border.

He cited reports from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) stating that over 120,000 acres of land in Northeast India are currently being used for illegal opium cultivation, driving violence and posing serious threat to the indigenous communities settled in the region for over a millennium.

Armed groups protect these activities, fuelling violence, drug abuse, and extremism, directly threatening the rights and livelihoods of indigenous peoples.

In his speech before the UNHRC, Khuraijam Athouba said: "We stand before you to bring urgent attention to the escalating human rights crisis in Northeast India, particularly in Manipur.

For the past 15 months, this region has been gripped by turmoil due to unchecked immigration and an unsecured border.

Indigenous communities, settled here for over a millennium, face existential threats as immigrant armed groups, driven by illicit opium cultivation and narco-terrorism, ravage the region".

Furthermore, the ongoing violent immigrant crisis in Manipur heightens local tensions, as highlighted by the UNHCR, with armed groups exploiting the unstable situation to seize control of resources and territories, he said.

"We urge the 57th Session to engage the Government of India to prioritise the issue of unchecked immigration in Northeast India and its impact on indigenous people's rights.

Recognise and respond to the narco-terrorism crisis affecting Manipur region, as highlighted in recent UNODC and UNHRC reports.

Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the environmental impacts of illegal poppy cultivation, which threaten global climate change mitigation and food security," Athouba said.

He also called upon the Council to initiate formal discussions and seek international collaboration to address these urgent issues, which threaten indigenous rights, regional stability, and environmental efforts.

Athouba further contended that the Government of India's failure to secure its border with Myanmar has allowed the crisis to escalate, with indigenous communities facing violent aggression from well-armed groups exploiting the chaotic situation for territorial control.

He mentioned the increasing use of drone aerial bombings and rocket missile attacks, heightening the severity of the violence in the region along with drawing attention to the environmental ramifications of illegal poppy cultivation, which he said is threatening global climate mitigation efforts and regional food security.

The statement further informed that Athouba will continue to participate in several interventions throughout the 57th Session, highlighting the roots of the ongoing conflict in Manipur, particularly focusing on narco-terrorism and the aggressive actions of immigrant groups.

In addition to his address at the General Debate, Athouba and his team are organising a side event within the UN campus to raise awareness among international forums about the long-standing issues plaguing the Northeast states of India, with a particular focus on the Manipur crisis.

According to IPSA, the event will provide a platform to present the "ground realities" of the situation in the Western Southeast Asia (WESEA) region and the Northeast States of India, with special focus on Manipur, which has long been overlooked by the international community.

IPSA and its collective of CSOs are regularly coordinating with Athouba to maximise his presence at the United Nations in Geneva, the statement added.

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