UNHRC Raises Concern Over Manipur Violence, Urges Authorities To Probe Root Causes

As violent clashes that began in Manipur earlier this month, and continue to be reported, were referred to in a statement issued by the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk as he marked 75 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN initiative ‘Human Rights 75’.

In his statement, Turk said, “In a number of situations, we see the consequences when different groups incite and stoke hatred and division between communities. The recent violence in Manipur, Northeast India, revealed the underlying tensions between different ethnic and indigenous groups. I urge the authorities to respond to the situation quickly, including by investigating and addressing root causes of the violence in line with their international human rights obligations."

Turk also referred to other violations of human rights of the Rohingya in Myanmar, Sudan, the killing of George Floyd, violations of LGBTQ rights, racial abuse faced by Real Madrid football player Vinícius Júnior in Spain, sentences against human rights defenders in China and misogyny by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

More than 50 people have been killed in violent clashes between the tribals living in the Manipur hills and the majority Meitei community residing in the Imphal Valley over the latter's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. More than 23,000 people have been rescued and sheltered in military garrisons and relief camps. 

The clashes were preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.

(With inputs from PTI)