Meitei Alliance writes to UN for global action
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 19 2024: Meitei Alliance has submitted a memorandum to the United Nations, urging for immediate international intervention to what it described as gross human rights violations and terrorist atrocities' in Manipur.

The appeal highlighted the recent heinous acts of violence , including murder of innocent civilians, destruction of relief camps, and collapse of governmental accountability.

In the memorandum, the Meitei Alliance said that the atrocities were perpetrated by armed Kuki groups targeting the Meetei community.

"One of the most harrowing incidents occurred on November 11, in Borobekra, Jiribam.

Six individuals, including women and children, were abducted from a relief camp and later found brutally murdered "shocking the conscience of humanity.

The victims included a 68-year old woman, two women in their mid-20s and early 30s, an eight-year-old girl, a 2.5-year-old boy, and an eight-month old boy".

The memorandum also specified that 8-month-old Lamnganba was found with his head smashed, and parts of it missing.

His 2.5-year-old brother, Chingkheinganba, was discovered with his head and arms severed.

The body of the 8-year-old girl showed signs of suspected sexual assault, and her head had been smashed.

The three women, including the elderly Yurembam Rani, also bore signs of suspected sexual violence before being killed.

Adding to the horror, the relief camp from which the victims were abducted was set ablaze on the same day, leaving surviving camp residents homeless and vulnerable, elaborated the memorandum.

Further mentioning the killings of elderly male relatives of the victims namely Laishram Barel Singh (60), found with his body fully charred, and 70-year-old Maibam Kishore Singh.

The Meitei Alliance accused the government of India of gross negligence in addressing the violence despite despatch of over 70,000 central Security forces in the state.

The Alliance alleged that no effective measures were taken to prevent the massacre or rescue the victims, which amounted to lack of accountability and an indifference to the escalating violence in the state.

The atrocities amount to severe violations of international human rights laws, the Alliance said and highlighted breaches of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Furthermore, the memorandum asserted that the acts meet the threshold for war crimes and crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

In its appeal to the United Nations, the Meitei Alliance called for establishment of an independent fact-finding mission to investigate the atrocities, identify perpetrators, and recommend measures to hold them accountable under international law.

The memorandum also urged the UN to pressure the Government of India to take immediate steps to protect civilians, dismantle terrorist networks, and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Alliance further requested the appointment of a Special Rapporteur to monitor and report on the human rights situation in Manipur to the UN Human Rights Council and for humanitarian support to safeguard the displaced populations, particularly women and children, who are among the most vulnerable.

The Meitei Alliance then emphasised the gravity of the situation in Manipur, stating that the barbaric targeting of children and women is a "stain on humanity".

It implored the United Nations to act decisively to prevent further atrocities, restore security and dignity to the victims, and ensure accountability for the crimes committed.

Comment