Report by Zevonia Vieira
Regarding to the human right violence that happening in Papua, Palestine, Sahara, Manipur and other, Komite Esperansa or Committee of Hope giving their solidarity, to show their concern for the situation faced by the people of these countries.
In press statement that Neon Metin access related that, the Komite Esperansa or Committee of Hope, are a political movement consisting of students, precarious youth, landless people and workers in Timor-Leste. During this time, it took a political position against the underdevelopment policy in Timor-Leste which is part of the global economic policy system called imperial capitalism, systematically producing a deep crisis. These crises are ecological crisis, debt crisis, cost of living crisis, mental health crisis and others.
Among these crises, solidarity is also an issue, because the state with its repressive apparatus, continues to limit solidarity from the oppressed people in Timor-Leste to countries such as Papua, Palestine, Sahara, Manipur and others.
However, the Komite Esperansa or Committee of Hope and other allies including human rights activists in Timor-Leste continue to provide solidarity in our own way to the oppressed and exploited people in Papua, Palestine, Sahara, Manipur and others.
Therefore, at the moment we want to give a statement in solidarity with the oppressed and exploited people in Manipur
Political Status of Maniur
Manipur is a part North East India having geographical size of 22,327 sq.km sharing more than 398 km with international border with Myanmar. Manipur was an erstwhile sovereign nation, having its own territory, script, language, culture and political status. Manipur got independence from the British Empire on 14th August 1947, the day before India got Independence i.e. 15th August 1947. After Independence, Manipur was the first nation in South East Asia to have written constitution and formed its democratic government having representatives from all the major ethnic communities. However, due to force annexation, Manipur lost its sovereignty and became a part of dominant India up till the present. Today, the day of Manipur annexation, 15th October is being observed as “Black Day” every year.
Condemning the infamous political event of Manipur annexation 1949, people started to resist against it. Subsequently, the uprising movement has also emerged from the 70’s, expressing the right to self-determination. United National Liberation Front, Revolutionary People Front (People Liberation Army), People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak are some of the political organizations that flourished in the soil of Manipur to restore its lost sovereignty.
To maintain the colonial power, government of India have deployed intense militarization to suppress the Independence movement in Manipur. Soon after the declaration of Manipur as a disturbed area under the Armed Forces Special Power Act 1958 in 1981, the brutality of Indian armed forces posed serious risk to safety and security on the lives of an Indigenous people of Manipur. Indian militarily responded to the self-determination movement, including the promulgation of emergency legislations, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, leading to high level of militarization in Manipur.
The Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958 conferred Indian armed forces the special power to kill people on mere suspicion and arbitrary detention. Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967, the National Security Act, 1980 etc. are another laws that imposed along the AFSPA 1958 since 1980s, Manipur reels outside the framework of protection guaranteed by the Indian constitution’s fundamental rights. The application of such wide array of security and emergency legislations further infringed the rights and security of women in Manipur.
The Partisan Role of Indian Security Establishments (Ongoing Conflict)
The Assam Rifles, the Jat Regiment and the Rapid Action Force have been charged of playing a partisan role in containing the ethnic violence in Manipur. Their dubious role in stopping violence has infuriated the valley people. The demand for withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Manipur is among the most important issues raised by the Meitei youths, mothers and civil organizations. According to media reports, several people were injured and lost their lives due to the firing by the Indian Paramilitary forces (the Assam Rifles) at Kadangband, Phayeng in Imphal West District and Kakching Districts of Manipur.
Three Rapid Action Force personnel have been suspended for trying to ablaze a house belonging to Naga conglomerate. The suspended personnel are Kuldip Singh, 40 of Haryana; Pradip Kumar, 33 of Haryana; and Somdev Araya, 37 of Uttar Pradesh (East Mojo; May 27, 2023). Such a sinister design would have opened a new front of ethnic conflict between Meiteis and Nagas if it was not intervening timely by the commoners. In another unwarranted incident, the Meitei villages of Sugnu, Serou Phougakchao Ikhai, Leimakhong, etc., were burnt down by Kuki militants despite the heavy presence of Indian security forces, particularly the Assam Rifles.
The Meitei women folk of Bishenpur district, besides others, protested the Indian Army’s partisan role and aggravation of the ethnic conflict by boycotting the passage of Indian army officials and even raising slogans, such as, ‘Go Back Indian Army from Manipur’. Subsequently, several people were injured in the firing by Indian (Paramilitary) forces. The alleged involvement of the Assam Rifles in such activities of causing harm to the (Meitei Villagers) at Kadangband, Phayeng in Imphal West District and Kakching Districts has been reported. The Jat Regiment of the Indian Army deployed in Imphal were also directly responsible for violently harassing three media persons and even assaulted several firemen of the Fire Department, Government of Manipur, who came to douse the fire set by mob in the central valley on May 22, 2023.
Military Impact on the Life of Indigenous Women
Militarism has a huge impact on the right to life of indigenous women in various ways. Physical injury, livelihood pattern, socio-cultural aspect, shrinking of democratic rights, playing dubious role in community conflict, delayed in justice delivery system, psychological trauma and military occupancy of the indigenous land are some of the issues related with militarism.
In most cases, indigenous women take pivotal role in the anti-militarism campaign, to stop violence and to deliver justice for violence and violations and to uphold the rule of law. They were physically harassed by Indian Security forces whenever they democratically went out to the street for protesting. Some have fractured bones, paralyzed, bed ridden and found septic for not treating in time.
This physical injury has greater impact on their livelihood pattern as most of them engaged in daily wage earnings. Unable to perform their physical activity has not only impact the particular individual but the entire family as well. As there is no specific support system for their injuries from the CSOs or any other organizations, some of the injuries are left untreated.
The women victims also face socio-cultural pressure of the society even after they were harassed by the security forces. The women who had gone through sexually abused or physically harassed faced social stigma and discrimination in their locality. Hiding injuries from their spouses and family out of fear is another burden that exists in the socio-cultural context of Manipur.
From our reports, most of the victim comes from the poor socio-economic background. Confronting the military and earnings for the livelihood simultaneously is a big challenge for indigenous women. Military occupancy in the rural side has direct impact on the free movement of indigenous women in search of fruits, vegetables, woods and fishing for their livelihood. On another aspect, people are not allowed to enter the sacred places in forest for worshipping due to military occupancy and the culture of preserving the whole ecological system of their ancestors has endangered in most places.
The Current Situation in September 2024
The recent drone bombings carried out by the Kuki militants in Manipur on Sunday September 1, 2024 constitute a blatant act of terrorism, violating fundamental principles of international humanitarian law. These attacks, which have resulted in loss of life, injury, and destruction of property, are a clear breach of the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols.
The Geneva Conventions, adopted in 1949, and their Additional Protocols, established in 1977 and 2005, set forth the rules for the conduct of war and the protection of civilians during armed conflicts. These treaties explicitly prohibit indiscriminate attacks, including those using explosive devices, which cause harm to civilians and non-combatants.
The use of drones by the Kuki militants to drop bombs on civilian areas in Manipur is a textbook example of an indiscriminate attack, violating Article 51(4) of Additional Protocol I, which states that “indiscriminate attacks are prohibited.” Such attacks, which fail to distinguish between military targets and civilians, are considered war crimes under international law.
Furthermore, the drone bombings have caused unnecessary harm and suffering to the civilian population, contravening the principles of distinction and proportionality enshrined in international humanitarian law. The attacks have also led to displacement, destruction of infrastructure, and long-term psychological trauma, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The Kuki militants’ actions also violate Article 3 Common to the Geneva Conventions, which prohibits violence against civilians, including murder, mutilation, and cruel treatment. The use of drones to target civilians constitutes a grave breach of this article, punishable under international law.
In addition, the drone bombings may be considered a form of collective punishment, prohibited under Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Collective punishment involves penalizing a group of people for the actions of a few, and in this case, the Kuki militants are targeting the broader population in Manipur.
The international community must condemn these acts of terrorism and hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions. India, as the affected state, has a responsibility to protect its citizens and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
The Kuki drone bombings in Manipur are a clear violation of international humanitarian law, constituting acts of terrorism and war crimes. The international community must take immediate action to address this crisis, provide humanitarian assistance to the affected population, and ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.
To maintain the colonial power, Indian armed force has been deployed to exercise their military activity to suppress people’s democratic voices. Democratic institutions established under the central and state government have not protected the indigenous people from the impacts of militarism but they remained as a mere spectator.
The ongoing conflict starting since the 3rd May has new dimension on how the Indian armed forces has been engaged. On the day of the outbreak of conflict, security personnel remained as a mute spectator seeing the community violence before their eyes (as posted on social media and newspapers). For this ongoing conflict, government appoints former CRPF DG. Mr. Kul Diep Singh as security advisor to maintain the law and order situation and to bring reconciliation process between the communities.
Despite the deployment of huge Indian armed forces and appointing former CRPF as security advisor to control the situation, the situation has become worse day by day and particularly the Meitei community has incarcerated only in the valley area. The situation for Meitei community is very critical as people are not allowed to move freely on the highways due to the conflicting situations, it seems the authority has indirectly endorsed the genocidal approached by not taking necessary measures so far.
We appeal to international community to stand in solidarity with the people of Manipur, recognizing their struggles and aspirations for justice, dignity, and self-determination. We condemn violence against civilians and call for an end to the ongoing occupation and oppression. It is vital that we advocate for human rights, support peaceful dialogue, and work towards a future where all people in Manipur can live in safety and equality.