Urgent intervene on Manipur clashes, 15 ethnic group writes to UN

Imphal: Fifteen organizations belonging to various ethnic communities of violence-hit Manipur have sent a memorandum to the United Nations demanding immediate attention to human rights violations and humanitarian crises in Manipur from May 3, 2023. .
In the memorandum, the organizations highlighted the serious human rights and humanitarian crises caused by violent ethnic tensions between the Chin-Kukis and the Meiteis.
“Over 100 lives have been lost and more than 70,000 civilians have been displaced as a result of the conflict situation,” the memorandum said.
The ethnic organization also claimed that the current ethnic tension between the Mete and Kuki cannot be seen in isolation from the sinister geopolitics and narco-economics that have permeated the region over the years.
“The region’s proximity to the infamous Golden Triangle has made Manipur vulnerable to the narco-economy and politics. The alleged involvement of Chin Kuk ethnic forces from Chin State and the Sagaing region (in Myanmar) (such as the Chin Defense Force ) has added fuel to the fire.
The Manipur government’s recent crackdown on poppy plantations and narco-cartel terrorist networks has exposed the deep nexus between the political class and the poppy economy.
Seeking international attention, the organizations alleged that the situation was so dire that no journalists, media and members of the Red Cross from certain communities were allowed access to the affected areas.
Such denial of access has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis and created a genocidal situation not only in Manipur but in the entire Indo-Myanmar region.
Further, the memorandum demanded that the United Nations should take the initiative to deal with the conflict situation in Manipur.
Violations of humanitarian protocols by armed Chin-Kuki militants under the SoO should be investigated and punished under established international norms.
They also demanded that the role of Kuki militants in fomenting and fueling ethnic tensions under the SuO be investigated in accordance with IHL and that constitutional provisions and rules of ground rules for suspension of operations be established.
That violence against civilians and disproportionate use of weapons by Chin-Kuki militants be stopped and investigated.
The memorandum has been signed by All Manipur United Clubs’ Organization, Committee On Human Rights, Poirei Leimarol Meirapaibi Apunba Manipur, All Manipur Ethnical Socio-Cultural Organisation, Youths Foundation For Fitness And Service Manipur, Manipuri Students’ Federation, Manipur International Youth Centre, All Manipur Meitei Pangal Clubs’ Organisation, Irabot Foundation Manipur, All Manipur Women’s Voluntary Association, Pangal Students’ Organisation and Indigenous People’s Forum.