Bodies bat for protection of indigenes' rights
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 09 2021: Various organisations on Monday observed International Day of World Indigenous Peoples and batted for safeguarding the rights of indigenous peoples.

Youth's Forum for Protection of Human Rights (YFPHR) in collaboration with Centre for Research and Advocacy-Manipur, Human Rights Initiative, Youth's Action Committee for Protection of Indigenous Peoples, Young Peoples for Social Reform, Indigenous Women Forum Manipur and Khangabok Development and Students' Union jointly organised a virtual observance of International Day of World Indigenous Peoples under the theme 'Development Aggressive in Manipur: Re-Thinking Indigenous People and Development Projects' on Monday.

In a release, YFPHR president Kh Phajaton informed that the programme was participated mainly by youth from Chandel, Bishnupur, Senapati, Noney and Tamenglong, Ukhrul, Imphal and Thoubal districts.

Issues such as railway construction in Tamenglong, Imphal West and Noney districts by NF Railway, Asian Highway road expansion by GR Infrastructure which involves stone mining in Chandonpokpi area of Chandel district, construction of Khuga River Dam in Churachan-dpur district which remains defunct for many years without achieving its purpose, proposed construction of Ring Road in Imphal West and its possible impact, proposed construction of Chakka Khongnem Dam and its possible negative impact in Senapati district were highlighted by the participants, it added.

YFPHR mentioned that programme observer, Centre for Research and Advocacy secretary Jiten Yumnam, also spoke on the important role that youth should play for protecting Manipur from such disastrous projects which give negative impact as no indigenous communities are made to participate in any developmental projects in the state.

In this regard, he cited examples of Mapithel Dam, railway line construction, Khuga Dam, Lok Hydro Power Corporation and others.

At the end of the programme, the participants raised slogans for respecting rights of indigenous people, decommissioning of Ithai Barrage, no mining in Manipur, etc, it said.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of International Day of the World's Indigenous People; Zomi Human Rights Foundation (ZHRF), Lamka and Zo Indigenous Forum (ZIF), Aizawl have reiterated their commitment to the goals set by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People 2007 and the ILO Convention 169 which provided for the global community a common framework for the realisation of the rights of indigenous and tribal people.

In a joint release, ZHRF and ZIF noted that the entire North East India has been reeling under hard and difficult times since the inception of the British India and even through the formation of Indian Union in 1947.The rights of the indigenous and tribal people have been trampled upon, their aspiration to participate in the affairs of the state nipped in the bud, their lands have been subjugated under duress and coercion and a deafened ear was turned to their voices, while insinuating complex relationship amongst their own kindred.

Peace and tranquillity in the region have been a desire of the indigenous and tribal people since then and yet without a concrete accomplishment.

Safeguarding their rights along with the developmental projects has been a long-cherished dream of the indigenous tribal people of the region, it added.

ZHRF and ZIF, therefore, called upon all concerned for protection of rights of the North East India's indigenous tribal peoples, all actors to immediately take initiative for a speedy dialogue with indigenous tribal Suspension of Operation (SoO) groups both at the centre and state so as to bring about an agreement for a constructive legal and political arrangement on the basis of mutual respect and autonomy for a lasting peace in the conflict zone of North East India.

They also condemned the systematic looting of tribal land, territories and its resources under the shadow of government schemes.

Such arbitrary actions of the government, without free and informed consent of the tribal people, are threatening the very existence of tribal in Manipur as well as in different parts of NE India, it maintained.

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