Imphal, April 25: Stating that the United Nations confer Right to Self Determination to all the indigenous colonised people of the world, social worker Th Iboyaima has asserted that it is the responsibility of the indigenous people of the land to fight for the allegedly lost sovereignty.

Th Iboyaima was speaking as functional president at a consultation programme on "UN Declaration on Rights of the Indigenous Peoples" organised by the North East Dialogue Forum at Kangla Hall here today.

Quoting Article III of the UN General Assembly resolution adopted on September 13, 2007, the social worker noted that all the indigenous people have the right to form their own governments and pursue their economic, social and cultural activities.

According to Article II, indigenous people have the right to self determination when they are discriminated based on their culture, tradition or ethnicity.

Iboyaima also stressed on the urgency and importance of unifying all the indigenous peoples and to present a united force in their struggle to restore the lost sovereignty of the land.

Addressing the programme as chief guest, Prof Gangmumei Kamei quoted Article 26 of the same Declaration which says that indigenous people have the right to own the land and resources occupied by them since generations.

As such, the indigenous people have their exclusive rights over their territory and political activities.

Convenor of the North East Dialogue Forum U Nobokishore decried that despite the Declaration which contains 46 articles, many mega projects are being taken up in the State without free, prior and informed consent of the indigenous people.

The Government of India has not violating several UN declarations to which it is a signatory but also trampling upon its own constitutional rights given to its citizens.

Even though the Constitution of India guarantees right to life to every citizen of the country, the indigenous people of Manipur are being murdered at will under the immunity guaranteed by the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, he alleged.

Under the same UN Declaration, the indigenous people of Manipur have the right to protect their lives, territory, sovereignty and its resources.

It is the duty of the people to persuade the Government of India and the Government of Manipur to make them take due cognizance of this UN Declaration.

Today's consultation programme was attended by representatives of different indigenous ethnic groups.

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