Bodies appeal to uphold indigenous people's rights in Manipur
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 10 2023:
On the occasion of International Indigenous Peoples' Day, Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur and Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur have demanded both the state and central governments to uphold the rights of the indigenous peoples in Manipur, guided by spirits of the UN Declaration of Indigenous Peoples (UNDIP).
In separate releases, the organisations said that the theme for this year 'Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for Self-Determination' is timely for the indigenous Meeteis in Manipur and further wished that the youth of every indigenous people may move forward remembering the right to self-determination.
With the celebration of the World Indigenous Peoples Day, youth of the suppressed indigenous Meetei community will take vital roles to fully avail socio, economic and political right they wished for, the releases said, while adding that the theme for this year has given more strength to the indigenous Meetei youth in fighting the aggression of the non-indigenous.
Urging both state and central governments to take urgent steps to end the violence in Manipur and to protect indigenous peoples from all forms of violence and discrimination, they urged the central government to institute prompt and impartial investigation into all cases of violence recorded and prosecute all those involved in perpetuating the violence against indigenous peoples in Manipur including its security forces.
The celebration of indigenous peoples' day is to celebrate their way of life, shared cultural heritages and harmonious relationship among indigenous people, they added.