Ethnic clash : Go15 petitions UN Assembly
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 14 2023: In the wake of the ethnic clash between the Kukis and the Meiteis that broke out on May 3, a group of 15 organizations belonging to various communities of Manipur have written to the United Nations General Assembly apprising it of the human rights violations and humanitarian issues in the State.

The Goup of 15 (Go15) organisations, including the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) and Committee on Human Rights (COHR) among others, submitted petitions to various allied offices and agents of the United Nations detailing the nature of the tension and events that triggered it.

The petition sought the attention of the UN and said it should apprise the Indian State to uphold the territorial and administrative integrity of Manipur.

The violation of the International Humanitarian Laws (IHL) by Chin-Kuki militants under Suspension of Operation (SoO) should be probed and they should be punished under established international norms, the Go15 said.

The role of the Kuki militants under SoO in inciting and provoking ethnic tension [between Meitei and Kuki] should be probed as per the IHL and established Constitutional provisions and rules of the Suspension of Operation.

The disproportionate use of violence and weapons against civilians by the Chin-Kuki militants should be restrained and investigated, they said.

The UN should mandate the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to extend its humanitarian relief and services to all the victims of the present violence.

It should send a UN/ICRC Mission to Manipur for peace-building and aid and extend their support in rehabilitation and reparation for the damages and losses inflicted by the conflict, the Go15 said.

Further, the group sought UN's attention to ensure free movement of people on the National Highways and transportation of essential goods including food.

The services of Red Cross (India) and media access be ensured in Kuki militant dominated areas, the petition read.

The Go15 urged the UN to investigate the proliferation of narco-cartel organised violent networks, small arms trade and its long-term ramifications on youths and ethnic harmony in Manipur.

Lastly, they asked the UN to apprise the Government of India and the Central Security establishments to act responsibly and provide adequate security measures in vulnerable and sensitive areas so that the communities displaced can return to their original settlement.

The petition of the Go15 highlighted that armed Kuki militants in combat uniform took part in the 'Tribal Solidarity March' on May 3, the day the violent clashes broke out between the communities.

It underscored the breach of inter-community ties and peace in Manipur and in the entire North East region due to the evident involvement of foreign Chin-Kuki-Mizo (Myanmarese) mercenaries in inciting inter-ethnic violence.

'An unbiased international attention and intervention is the need of the hour in accordance with the established International Humanitarian Laws', said the Go15 seeking the attention of the United Nations.

The involvement of Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) and Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) in blocking the National Highways, banning all movement of people and transportation of essential commodities is 'inhuman' and 'genocidal', said the group.

Delving on the issue, "cross-border insidious economic activities like human trafficking, poppy cultivation, deforestation, illegal immigration, ecological issues, and space politics complicates the ethnic relations in the State," said the petition.

The petition, submitted by the Go15, contains pages on "the operation and involvement of drug cartels and their ever-expanding financing network in the social and political life of the North East region and India-Myanmar borderland." The region has transformed from a consumer to an opium producer which is a cause of alarm for every ethnic identity, it said.

Explaining the origin of the present ethnic tension, the petition argued that 'the mobilization for Greater Chin-Kuki Homeland also known as Zalen'gam project has continuously impaired inter-ethnic relations in the region.' It highlighted how "the ethnic Zo politics has worked in collusion with the narco-finance capital terror network driven by clan-based ethnic militant groups thereby making easy inroads into electoral politics and institutions of power" .

The 3-4 percent of habitable area in Manipur's valley is home to nearly 60 percent of the total population which warrants the envisioning of a democratic and just land law, they said.

The Go15 cited the issue of the influx of foreigners, non-implementation of the National Register of Citizens and demand for Zo exclusive Greater Homeland as key concerns that are threatening ethnic harmony, integrity, and peace in Manipur.

The Group of 15 includes All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO), Committee on Human Rights (COHR), National Research Centre (NRC), Porei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Lup Manipur (PLMPAM), Indigenous People's Forum (IPF), Irabot Foundation Manipur (IFM), All Manipur Ethnical Socio Cultural Organisation (AMESCO), All Manipur Meitei Pangal Clubs Organisation (AMMPCO), Manipur International Youth Centre (MIYC), Pangal Students' Organisation (PSO), All Manipur Women's Voluntary Association (AMAWOVA), Manipur Students' Federation (MSF), Centre for Research and Advocacy Manipur (CRAM), Youths Foundation for Fitness and Service Manipur (YOFFS) and All Manipur Manpower Upliftment Centre (AMMUC) .

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