Recurrent acts of killing non-locals in Imphal Valley
- Naga Peoples Movement For Human Rights -

Senapati, August 04, 2010

The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) is deeply concerned by the recurrent acts of killing non-locals in Imphal Valley by valley based armed groups (See: "Non-local found shot dead", ; Non-local suspect killed, ). NPMHR condemn such reprehensible acts and appeal to all right thinking individuals to condemn and work towards preventing such acts. NPMHR further appeal to those responsible to stop from perpetrating such acts.

The respect for the rights of others, irrespective of race, caste, class, or origins etc is a prerequisite for the peaceful existence of all communities. Such acts of violence perpetrated against any individual on the basis of unjustifiable categories such as race, caste, class, or origins etc is self-defeating and against the very principle of self-determination which people, including those in Imphal Valley, are striving for.

It is to be noted that the present killing of non-locals is not a new phenomena but another in a long list of similar events over the past few months; the inability to prevent such violent acts repeatedly is a clear indication of the ineptitude of the Ibobi Singh led Government of Manipur (GoM). The GoM is morally obligated to own responsibility for these incidents.

NPMHR is constrained to point out that temporary measures such as herding together non-locals into relief camps are just a facewash and would not, in any way, contribute to the prevention of such incidents. Instead, what is urgently required is a holistic examination and understanding of the concerns of the people in Manipur and addressing them through meaningful participatory governance.

However, the present GoM led by Ibobi Singh is more interested in perpetuating hegemonic politics instead of addressing the concerns of the people.

For instance, forceful conduct of elections for the Autonomous District Councils is a reminder of the divisive politics that the GoM is playing. The non-attendance of tribal bodies in the recently convened meeting on the issue is indicative of the discontent of the hill people over the issue ("No hills bodies attend Round Table meeting").

The attempt to impose a "uniform land policy" upon the tribals is another example of the high-handed politics which the majority community of Manipur are indulging and which is being actively encouraged by Ibobi Singh and his government. This effort to infringe and erode the rights of the tirbal people over their lands is a neo-colonialistic design of the majority community of Manipur and NPMHR urge all tribal communities to actively oppose such actions.

NPMHR strongly urges the GoM to protect the life of all individuals and to immediately stop the discriminatory divisive politics that it is playing. NPMHR further calls upon all state and non-state armed groups to respect the rights of every individual irrespective of race, caste, class, origins etc.

NPMHR, Press Liaison.

Naga Peoples Movement For Human Rights
South Office: District Headquarter Tahamzam (Senapati)
Tel; +91 – 3871 -201 482
Telefax: +91 – 3871 – 222 320
Email: [email protected]