Many join hands to observe International HR Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 10 2025: The International Human Rights Day was observed at THAU Ground, Imphal today.

The International Human Rights Day is celebrated every year commemorating the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on December 10, 1948 .

All Manipur Women's Voluntary Association Manipur (AMAWOVA), All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO), Committee on Human Rights (COHR), Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) and Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur (PLMPAM) observed the day jointly.

Speaking on the occasion, retired District and Session Judge Aribam Noutuneshwari said human rights is universal, however, people in Manipur are often deprived of these rights.

Due to the situation created by the conflict since May 2023, and imposition of Acts such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), people in Manipur are surviving under fear, deprived of their rights, the retired Judge said.

Violent conflict and many other social crises have limited children's access to education.

There is no free movement in the State.

People of certain communities are unable to travel on the National Highways and across several districts.

Incidents of "inhumane torture" by the Paramilitary forces under AFSPA for years have also affected the people psychologically, she said.

All the issues including the violent conflict and imposition of AFSPA have affected the quality of life of the people of the State, added the retired Judge.

Further on the restriction of movement, Noutune-shwari said people of the valley are still unable to travel on National Highways.

Despite the High Court and the Supreme Court's direction to open the National Highways, these lifelines are still off-limits to people of the valley, she said.

In gross violation of human rights, during the violent conflict, six women and children were abducted and murdered in Jiribam.

The NIA is said to be investigating the case, but so far justice has not been delivered, she added.

Addressing the people on the occasion, AMUCO president S Sanjoy asserted not much has changed in Manipur after its merger with India, he said.

Commenting on the likely visit of the President tomorrow, Sanjoy said the people of Manipur shouldn't expect much from the visit.

"People shouldn't expect much from the visit of the President," Sanjoy said.

AMUCO's secretary (organisation), Laishram Krishnachandra spoke on the condition of the people who have been displaced by the Manipur conflict and said, they have been deprived of their basic rights.

Many of the IDPs have lost their homes to the conflict.

They have not been allowed to even return to their original villages and home, he said.

The people of the State must never be bound down.

They must fight for their rights and dignity, Krishnachandra said.

The gathering observed a 2-minute silence to remember victims of human rights violations.

Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur (PLMPAM) president Soraisam Memcha Leima, All Manipur Women's Voluntary Association Manipur (AMAWOVA) president Yumkhaibam Kunjarani, Committee on Human Rights (COHR) chairman Phulindro Konsam, Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) president Hijam Roshan attended the event.

Associate Professor of Political Science, DMU, Dr Arambam Noni and Associate Professor of Political Science, GP Women's College, Dr Konthoujam Indrakumar spoke as resource persons.

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