SIPHRO

New Delhi, December 12, 2006: Landmines planted by militants in the vicinity of villages and agricultural land in disturbed areas of Manipur and which had so far claimed as many as 20 inhabitants in several blasts in just two years have raised an eyebrow of many right thinking citizens over the safety of the innocent civilians.

“Unbearable atrocities is being committed upon hill people, especially in Churachandpur district by militants belonging to the majority community,” speakers at a seminar held here recently observed. The landmines planted by these militants in the vicinity of villages in the hills have claimed more than 20 victims during 2004-2006, the speakers pointed out.

The seminar was organised by Sinlung Indigenous People’s Human Rights Organisation and Zomi Human Rights Foundation here recently.

The situation is so grim that hundreds of villagers were forced to vacate their homes and take refuge in neighbouring Mizoram earlier this year due to atrocities committed on them by the same militants. The mass rape issue in Tipaimukh sub-division of the State is still looming large and the perpetrators are yet to be booked, they alleged.

All these cumulatively contributed to a situation in which the very existence of the hill people, their economy, and even their existence is under threat, the speakers said. The hill people have always been at the receiving end since colonial times, they said.

The landmine menace is far from over with Chandel district reeling under renewed threat from this tragic man-made crisis. Gross human rights violations became the order of the day, they said.

Dr HT Sangliana, MP (Bangalore North Constituency), who belongs to Manipur, delivered the keynote address. He reiterated the need for unity and dwelt at length on persisting landmine crisis in Manipur hills.

Dr Sangliana’s address was followed by presentation of two papers by Prof Lal Dena of Manipur University and Smitu Kothari, the Director of Intercultural Resources, New Delhi. Their themes are ‘Historical Perspectives - A Study of the Hill People in Manipur’ and ‘Indigenous People’s in International Relations’ respectively.

There were several other speakers and more papers were presented during the two day-long seminar.

Source: The Shillong Times