The International Human Rights Association (IHRA), Manipur has strongly condemned the Manipur government for perpetrating inhuman act upon the innocent people of Saikul area.
IHRA Manipur president Mark Thangmang Haokip said that the association is extremely shocked to learn that the police are hunting innocent villagers of the Saikul area in Kangpokpi district for damaging Kuki Rising Monolith, which has been destroyed by some enraged civilians on October 17. The matter came to light after the girls hiding in the jungle released their video on social media, he added.
He said that the monolith was inaugurated by chief minister, N Biren Singh on the same day without the consent of the people through video conference from the Chief Minister Secretariat.
“In rapport with the demolition of the monolith, police are hunting for those individuals involved in damaging the monolith so as to arrest by accusing of destroying public property. However, the act of atrocities committed by the police has enormously infringed Article 7, 9 and 10 (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which read as in Article 7 that no one shall be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment and Article 9(1) which read everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and by such procedure as are established by law. Article 10 (1) which read all persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person,” said Thangmang.
IHRA has instructed the concerned police officer to stop such acts of inhuman brutality as per human rights concerns, he added. He also said that IHRA has appealed to the state government to cease the unfair treatment to the people of Saikul and reinstate the same memorial stone as it violates the rights of self-determination guaranteed by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, 2007.
The IHRA Manipur has also urged the state government to reaffirm Anglo-Kuki War 1917-1919 as its inscription and the words ‘In defense of Ancestral Land and Freedom’ has its meaning of Anglo-Kuki War 1917-1919 as per the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guaranteed by the United Nations.
