Dimapur, June 14 : The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (south) today noted the Manipur Cabinet’s decision on May 19 to send more security forces into the four hill districts of Manipur. The NPMHR has made plain clear demand that the order should be revoked at the earliest. With the arrival of IRB personnel in Ukhrul and Senapati districts of Manipur, the tendency of the Manipur government to use militarization and force as a means to handling any situation, has once again been reinforced, NPMHR stated.
In a press release received here today, the NPMHR reiterated that reinforced military personnel will not solve any of the problems faced by the people in the hills. It will rather result in more human rights violations and the contravention of the rule of law and justice, the organization said. “The disposition of the (Manipur government) to use the military as part of their governance agenda is an indication of their pitiable inability to grasp and appreciate the problems of the common people, especially those living in the hill districts,” the organization said.
Manipur orders more forces in hills
The NPMHR said the problems faced by the people in the hills do not require more military personnel but well thought-out strategies and policies that will address root causes of inequality in distribution of resources, strengthen and empower civil societies and citizens, and the exercise of governance that respect and strengthen human rights.
The discipline, reputation, and behavior of the IRB and Manipur Police Commando personnel were also questioned by the NPMHR. Their conduct seriously put their role as peace-keepers in doubt and one that does not encourage any confidence, the organization lamented. “We would like the state that IRB personnel were implicated in the recent dastardly killing of Prof. Islammudin of Manipur University. IRB and Manipur Police Commandos have also been responsible for a number of extra-judicial killings and fake encounters over the years. Instead of upholding the law, they themselves are responsible for grave human rights violations” the NPMHR reiterated.
Further, the NPMHR observed, if their presence is a route to peace and stability, Imphal valley with its high concentration of IRB and Manipur Police Commandos still suffer from extreme violence and killings everyday. The organization queried the Manipur government why a number of “innocent non-Manipuris are being killed every other day despite the presence of IRB and Manipur Police Commandos in every nooks and crannies of Imphal?” Has their presence reduced the number of criminal incidences in any way and do they brook confidence as effective peace-keepers in the Imphal valley, the NPMHR queried of the Manipur government. “The answer is a resounding ‘no,’” it added.
The organization further said that militarization has caused more problems and debilitated the development of Manipur; the root cause of armed-conflict in Manipur, which has crippled the state, lies in the social and economic injustices suffered by the people, the NPMHR reminded the Manipur cabinet. “As such, it is necessary that efforts should be made to address these injustices rather than use force to further curtail and limit the human rights of citizens,” it said.
The NPMHR has demanded that the Government of Manipur must immediately revoke the Cabinet decision of May 19 and withdraw the IRB personnel already sent to Ukhrul and Senapati districts. The Government of Manipur is also asked to sincerely focus their attention on addressing the socio-economic and cultural inequities faced by the people living in the hills.
The people of the hills must be involved in every process that involves their future and fate, it said. “We urge the people of the hill districts to unitedly (sic) and strongly stand up against the scrupulous designs of the (government of Manipur) to further oppress and suppress us and our rights,” the NPMHR added.