HRW denounces the resumption of ethnic violence in Manipur (India) and calls for the protection of all communities

September 14 (EUROPA PRESS) –

Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Saturday denounced the resurgence of violence in the northeastern state of Manipur, in New Delhi, India, and urged the country’s authorities to “protect all communities and end divisive policies.”

The NGO’s deputy director for Asia, Meenakshi Ganguly, has criticised that, far from protecting the most vulnerable communities and upholding the rule of law, the actions of the Indian authorities have only “deepened long-standing anger and mistrust between communities through polarising policies”.

“The state government’s response to the increasingly violent ethnic clashes in Manipur has only caused further harm,” he said in a statement, adding that “both the state of Manipur and the central governments must take swift action to resolve disputes, investigate abuses and adequately punish those responsible.”

In this context, Ganguly has directly urged the authorities of Manipur to “uphold the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly in their response to the current situation” and has recalled that the country’s security forces must respect the basic principles of the UN, using “the minimum force necessary at all times”.

“The Manipur government has lost the trust of communities due to its partisan politics and failure to protect them from violence,” HRW said, adding that “it can begin to build that trust by ensuring that victims and their families receive prompt redress, that those responsible for abuses are held accountable, and that all communities are protected from further violence.”

In this regard, the organisation has also advocated for “guaranteeing unhindered and adequate humanitarian aid to affected communities, allowing access to the Internet and collaborating with civil society (…) to address long-standing problems between communities.”

“The state government must work with the central government of India to provide redress to victims of abuses, including sexual violence, investigate and fairly prosecute those responsible, and act to demobilize and disarm abusive groups,” Ganguly concluded.

The statement comes after Indian authorities imposed a curfew in the Imphal Valley and surrounding districts on Tuesday and suspended internet services in Manipur in an attempt to quell fierce protests in the area over ongoing communal conflicts.

Clashes, mainly between the Meitei and Kuki, resumed in early September and have involved the use of drones to drop explosive devices, prompting security forces to use tear gas.

Violent clashes in Manipur broke out in early May 2023, after tribal communities protested a state High Court order granting the majority Meitei community certain benefits, including land ownership in protected areas and quotas in government jobs and university admissions.

Since then, according to Human Rights Watch, more than 200 people have been killed, hundreds injured and more than 60,000 displaced and living in overcrowded shelters.