Imphal: United Nations experts expressed deep concern on Monday over reported human rights abuses in India’s Manipur crisis, including sexual violence, extrajudicial killings, displacement, torture, and ill-treatment. They cited an inadequate humanitarian response to the conflict between Meitei and Kuki ethnic communities, which began in May 2023.
By mid-August 2023, around 160 people, mostly from the Kuki community, were reportedly killed, and over 300 injured. The conflict resulted in tens of thousands forcibly displaced, homes and churches burned, farmland destroyed, and livelihoods lost.
The experts decried gender-based violence targeting Kuki women and girls, including gang rape, public humiliation, beatings, and burnings. They highlighted the role of online and offline hate speech in inciting these atrocities.
The experts expressed alarm over the misuse of counterterrorism measures against ethnic and religious minorities and called the situation a tragic development for India’s minorities.
Dear Reader,
Over the past four years, EastMojo revolutionised the coverage of Northeast India through our sharp, impactful, and unbiased coverage. And we are not saying this: you, our readers, say so about us. Thanks to you, we have become Northeast India’s largest, independent, multimedia digital news platform.
Now, we need your help to sustain what you started.
We are fiercely protective of our ‘independent’ status and would like to remain so: it helps us provide quality journalism free from biases and agendas. From travelling to the remotest regions to cover various issues to paying local reporters honest wages to encourage them, we spend our money on where it matters.
Now, we seek your support in remaining truly independent, unbiased, and objective. We want to show the world that it is possible to cover issues that matter to the people without asking for corporate and/or government support. We can do it without them; we cannot do it without you.
Support independent journalism, subscribe to EastMojo.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
They raised concerns about the government’s slow response and welcomed fact-finding missions and Supreme Court involvement in Manipur. They urged continued monitoring and action on justice, accountability, and reparations.
The experts expressed worry about the criminalization and harassment of human rights defenders documenting cases. They called on the Indian government to intensify relief efforts and investigate acts of violence, including potential involvement of public officials in incitement of hatred and violence.
Also Read | Manipur govt strongly condemns Editors Guild of India report: CM Biren
Trending Stories
- Meghalaya: Over 3,000 people to join Sohra intn’l half-marathon
- Could online abuse drive women out of political life?
- Assam workshop highlights DNA tech’s role in wildlife crime investigation
- Assam: Rice as a peace offering in India’s human-elephant conflict capital
- Nagaland: Three NSCN-K (Niki) cadres held with weapons cache
- Are sexual harassment victims ‘silenced’ at Tripura University?
