Athouba takes up Manipur crisis at UNHRC session
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 30 2023:
Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) spokesman Khuraijam Athouba highlighted the prevailing crisis in Manipur during the General Debate Item-5 of the 54th UN Human Rights Council session held at Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland being held from September 11 till October 13 .
In a release, International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) , Kangleipak president Birjit Tourangbam conveyed that during the session, Kh Athouba drew the attention of UNHRC to the grave and urgent situation faced by the indigenous people of Manipur.
These indigenous communities stand on the brink of a dire conflict, initiated by cross-border narco-terrorist groups.
This conflict has resulted in a tragic toll of over 200 lives lost and the destruction of approximately 5,000 homes, leaving 60,000 people homeless, he enlightened the participants, while adding that given these distressing circumstances, peace-loving people of Manipur earnestly appeal to the 'Indigenous Mechanism' and other relevant bodies within this Council to facilitate communication with the Government of India.
"To prioritise the pressing issue of illegal immigration and widespread illicit cultivation of poppies covering an area exceeding tens of thousands of acres in the hills of Indo-Myanmar Borderland particularly in Manipur, competent agencies and parties need to take urgent initiatives by relevant mandates to address the gross violations of human rights in the ongoing violence in Manipur.
To recognise and address the menace of narco-terrorism and emerging new golden triangle and its far-reaching consequences on the longstanding ethnic harmony, economic stability, and ecological well-being of the indigenous people in Manipur and WSEA region," he said.
Athouba also said, "Given the suspected involvement of immigrant armed militant groups in narco-terrorist activities in the region including the ongoing violence in Manipur, we call for a thorough review of the policy of Suspension of Operations with such groups by Government of India" .
"It is our hope that the Council's collective efforts will help alleviate the suffering of the indigenous people of Manipur and contribute to a just and peaceful resolution of the present crisis," he emphasised.
IPSA further mentioned that the organisation and its collective of eight CSOs are Actively communicating with Athouba to maximise the impact of his presence at the United Nations.
He has also started submitting a factual report on 'Chin-Kuki Narco-Terrorism' and emerging new Golden Triangle and its relevance to the prevailing situation in the state to various relevant rapporteurs including UN mandated offices, it added.