UNC Press Release: September 3rd, 2014

RESS  RELEASE

         Dated Tahamzam, 3^rd September, 2014

The ban on all vehicular traffic on National Highways and State Highways and ban on all construction works on National Projects in Naga areas to be enforced with effect from 6.00 AM of 4^th September, 2014 has been called because the sentiments of the Nagas have been demonstrated in measures beyond which it will become redundant.

Under the communal Government of Manipur(GoM) our voices and sentiments do not count. Our lives are not safe. Our democratic rights do not exist. In the Imphal  valley, the domain of the GoM, mainland Indians are being butchered and maimed in manners that are done to the most bitter of enemies. While in the hill areas of the tribals, where peace prevails, the GoM sends their Police forces to kill and brutalise the people they were purportedly sent to protect. The magnitude of social divide on communal lines in Manipur can only be addressed with a political solution.

Through this release we solicit free will donations towards the families of the martyrs Mayopam Ramror and Ramkashing Vashi and for those who were brutalised at Ukhrul on 30^th August, 2014. The same may be submitted to the Treasurer, United Naga Council for onwards submission.

We appeal to the general public, transporters and truck owners to extend their co-operation and solidarity for the protest against the insult on our people and the mockery of democracy where the voice of the people have been responded with bullets and force.

All Nagas are volunteers and it is the moral responsibility of every Naga to uphold the peoples’ movement.  The Tribe Councils and Regional Organisations will co-ordinate and monitor the bans in the respective jurisdiction.

The people are informed to be vigilant against any measures that may be deployed by the communal GoM to suppress the people’s movement.

Any individuals violating this stricture of the people will be doing so at their own risks.

. 

Publicity Wing

United Naga Council

An Appeal - Sinlung Peoples Movement Against Dams

INHRIETTIRNA LE NGENNA

Only when the last tree has died
And the last river has been poisoned
And the last fish been caught
Will we realize we cannot eat money
- Cree Indian Proverb


Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Don't give up the fight! - Bob Marley

Aizawl, Mizoram

Pathien mi pek ram, tiena-tlanga inthawk ei hluo le ei pi ei pu hai in himtaka an min thlasawng pek ram hai chu vawisun hin, sawrkar, corporation le company hrang hrang haiin hmasawnna hming chawiin suk chereua, mi hluosuok dingin thrang an khaw mek. Nu le Pa ang hlawla milo thruoitu le mi chawilien ve tu, ei rama ei tui, ei vadung achien alien aum popo chu khuopa Dams siemna ding hmalakna hai chun mihriem le hnam ei nina le ei hnam ro popo chimral dingin tha an suo mek. Chuong vadung hai chu Tuiruong le Tuivai (1500 MW), Tuiriel (60 MW), Tuivawl (60 MW), Tuivai (210 MW), Serlui (12MW), hai an nih. Tuta Dams project in a suoksiet lo ding hmun ahim sun ding, khuo pali (4) (Palsang, Zohmun, Mauchar, Khawdungsei) hai ram chu sa huon (Pualreng Wildlife Sanctuary) a siem dingin riruong aum nawk a. Tuta khuo pali hai chu sawrkarin sum tlawmte peka an khuo le tui maksan dingin an nawr mek bawk. Pualreng Wildlife Sanctuary chu aum hma deiin Mizoram inchuklaibu a hai chu zieklutin alo um der tah.

Tuta project riruonga um hai bawlna ding leiin ei ram sunga khuo tamtak chu hluo nawk thei talo dingin inremna lekhaa (Memorandum of Understanding) hai ziek fel alo ni tah. Tuta project hai hin Sinlung Hills (Mizoram) a ringawt khawm hin Vai nuoi hnih neka tam sinthaw dingin thruoilutin um an tih. Chubakah, sipai singtelin belsa bawk atih. Chanchinthra mansapui bangnaa ei nei rama hai chun zinga chu milem biekna in, temple le mosque haiin an hluo sip ta ding anih. Ei inring hma in "Ei Ram" le ei rohlu popo chu ei chan ding um meu loin ei en liem el thei ding ani tah.

Inhrietthiemna Thuthlung (Memorandum of Understanding) an zieka hin ei ram le ei tui kama tiena tlanga inthoka muong taka lo cheng tah, Sinlung suok Hmar mipuihai an rawn hmasa naw bakah an remtina lak a ni bok nawh. Hi Thuthlung (MoU) hi Dam an bawl tumna le a se vel Vangai Tlang (Manipur), Sinlung Hills (Mizoram), a vadung hnâr tienga um le a vadung suo tieng Barak Valley (Assam) a cheng Hmar mipuihaiin an hrietpui bawk nawh.

Inthukop le chan insema Dams bawl dinga thuthlung ziektu hai hin a rama cheng Hmarhai zalenna chanvo an namnul bakah, an thilthawin a suksiet ding an ram leilung le vadung, a thing le ruo le a sunga hnuoi hausakna inphumhai chu an sut lawk naw a, hril khom an hril sa naw hrim hrim. Chuleiin, hi Thuthlung (MoU) hin India Danpui a bawsiet a, hlei a nei a, indikna a pai naw a, mipui ro inrelna thuthlung a kal bok a nih.

Ei ram leilung le a hausakna nasa taka an suksiet bakah a rama chenghai chu hmun thar khuorna ding le an inbengbelna ding iengkhom siem mumal si loin, ei piengvo le ei zalenna chanvo chu suosampek le hnot suokin um ei ta;a hmun le hmain a dier le dier lo ding chieng taka en fel hmasa si loa an bawl ding ani leiin, nasa takin sietna intlun bawk atih. Hmun tam takah, danin a phut angin, hieng Dam an bawlna hrim hrimah khawtlang le a mi chenghai chunga nghong a nei dan ding en chiengna, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) le Social Impact Assessment (SIA) nei ngei ngei hlak a nia chu ei ram sungah Dams um ding hai ruok chu abawltu ding haiin enfelna le enfiena sin a thaw naw a, a tuortu ding mipuihai kuomah thil ngirhmun indik tak a phor lang nuom bok nawh. Sorkarin dan a zamhai chu zawm nekin bawsiet a hau lem leiin a ram le mipui chunga sietna rapthlak tak intluntu a hung inchang ta lem a nih.Khawtlang le mihriem, a ram leilung himna le sik le sa chunga sietna rapthlak a hung intlun ding hi ieng khomin a man zo nawh.

Tu lai hnai ela Thuthlung (MoU) an ziek hi a ram pheka sietna intlun theitu ding thil a ni leiin pom thei a ni nawh. Ngaituona hmang lo le lunginsietna thrang loa insuosamna hmangruo a ni ding a ni nawh. Ei tui ei vadung hai hi Sawrkar dang dangin ramri a hmangin ei mipuihai ram bung hrang hrangah mi thre dar sienla khom, hi hmun hi Hmar hai histawri intranna trobul, ei Ruonglevaisuo, ei mipuihai hnam khata thlung khawmtu, ei hmun thienghlim a nih. Hi hmun hi ei phalna thrang loin tu khomin an suosam ding a ni nawh. Hi hmun humhal le vong him hi ei hnam damna le hringna le inzom tlat a nih.

Mani hlawkna ding ringot hnot ngar ngar ram dang miin mi hung rûn a, ei vadung hai, ei ram leilung le a sunga hausakna hai nuom nuoma an hung suosam le rok phal thei naw mei niu.Mipui lungril thu hnè tuma a tawtawrawta thrang, thu khingbai khekpuituhai hi kut fai lo, thil thaw pei lo le bulthrut nei lo an ni leiin mipui aiawtu rawl an ni thei nawh. Thu lai zong loa thu khingbai hmanga indawr tumna hi a kakhawk tuortu ding aram neitu haiin thudik an hriet ding dangna chauh a nih. Hienga indik lo taka insoisakna hi a fe pei phal ding a ni nawh.

Tu lai hnai ela a rûk a ràl anga Thuthlung (MoU) an ziek hin a ram hluotu le neitu Hmar mipuihai le an chanvo le khuo le tui an nina an uksak nawh ti an suklang. A sukpuitlingtu dinga ruothaiin iengti kong zawngin am hma an lak ding ti khom a ram mipuihaiin hriet lawkna ieng khom an nei nawh. Hi Thuthlung hi ‘hlawkna’ le ‘hmasawnna’ ringot hisapnain an mit sukdel a, a rama chenghai chunga sietna bur khum tum tuhai hmalakna a ni leiin beiseina pam puom, tak ram le inzawlna nei lo, muong taka a rama chenghai khawsakna le an fakzongna thing le ruo le an vadung hai sukcheureuna ding a nih. Hi Dams hai hin thil thra lo a hung nghong suok dinghai chu thuthlung ziektuhai hin an hmu threl duoi a nih. Hi Thuthlung hi Hmarhai ta dinga hliemna, hlei nei, an zalenna le khuo le tui an nina laka hnawchepna a ni leiin thuthlung ziektuhai hin inrang taka thupha an chawi a ngai.

Hi Thuthlung hi a tuor nasatu ding tak, Dam an bawlna ding ram hluotu Hmar mipuihaiin ei hrietpui lo, ei remtipui lo, ei ring zo lo le ei hnawl chu a nih. Chuleiin, theinghila um Hmar mipuihai chu to trawkin ei um ahun ta nawh. Hi thu le inzawmin hungtlung ding September 28, 2010, 11:00 AM khin ei ram le ei hnam humhalna ding, ei lungawinawna inentirna leh ei chan sie tah siem thrat na dingin Aizawla (Chanmari- Assembly House) lam hrawna (Peaceful Protest Rally) ei nei ding anih. Hi rally a ding hin Committee, Sinlung Peoples Movement Against Dams, indin anih. Tlawmnngaina insangtak insuoa hi hun pawimawtak a hin hung thrang ngei ding leh atrulna kawng tamtaka thrangpui dingin fiel le inhriettir in nih. Ei hun pawimawtak ei hlawtling theina dingin Pathien thrangpuina mi ngen puia trongtrainaa lo san dingin ngen in ni bawk.

Pathien zara ram le hnam ta ding in ditsak


Sd/- Sd/-

(DAVID BUHRIL)
Chairman

(KHAWLREMTHANG)
Convenor

Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Organisation SIPHRO/ Sinlung Hills

Open Letter to O. Ibobi Led-Government and the People of Kangleipak

The Chamdil:

The 29^th May, 2010

In public interest to the whole ethnic groups of Manipur and India, the Chandel Naga Civil Society Co-ordination Core Committee (CNCSCCC) poses a few questions to Ibobi Led-government as an eye-opener.

Recalling, historical errors of the Meiteis “Treaty of Yandaboo, Feb. 24, 1826” taken into consideration, the Meiteis Maharaja(s) sold and sell themselves and land without prior information to Nagas in particular and the tribal people in general but the Nagas/Tribals had fought and continues to fight for our rights and ownership of our own land till date vice-versa as fought by the Meitei/Valley brethren.

If at all, claims are to be made sincerely, Wangkhei, Langkonching, Lamlong, Sawombung etc. are all settlements of Nagas (please read “A short history of the Indigenous communities of Kangleipak Vol-II” by the League of fourth world people Kangleipak).

For now, we ask the following questions and would like to know answers from Ibobi led-Government as soon as possible.

1). Geography of Manipur Nagas:

Statistical Booklet of Manipur, Forest 2008

Hill area - 20,089 sq/km (20,089-4570 Ccpur) = 15,519 Nagas Land

Hill People- 8, 82,130 (8, 82,130-2,227,905Ccpur) = 6, 54,225 Nagas Population

Valley area- 2,238 sq/km

Valley Population – 14, 11,766

2). Dominant Nagas inhabiting District of Manipur including 27 villages in Henglep Sub-Division, Ccpur District as per 2006 Hills House Tax submitted to the govt of India.

Sl. No.	Name	District	No. of Village	Total No. of Household
01.	Anal	Chandel	138	3758
02.	Chiru	Cdl/Tml	09	795
03.	Chothe	Chandel	16	520
04.	Inpui	Tamenlong	11	758
05.	Kharam	Senapati	04	100
06.	Lamkang	Chandel	39	1003
07.	Mao	Senapati	50	12886
08.	Maram	-do-	39	5275
09.	Maring	Chandel	78	5716
10.	Monsang	-do-	06	396
11.	Moyon	-do-	17	668
12.	Poumai	Senapati	66	18891
13.	Tangkhul	Ukhrul	222	26230
14.	Tarao	Chandel	04	101
15.	Thangal	Senapati	10	800
16.	Zeliangrong	Tml/Ccpur	153	15330
	-do-	Spt	16	1667
			878	94494

3). In Manipur Legislative Assembly there are 60 MLAs out of which 7 Naga MLAs had resigned. What process has the Assembly, Speaker taken up so far as per the code and procedure of Manipur State Legislative Assembly? Is this constitutionally functional?

What processes has been taken up by the Ibobi led-Govt regarding the resignation of 7 (seven) Naga MLAs in connection with the cabinet decision taken against the visit of Th. Muivah to his Birthright Place Somdal Village Ukhrul district Manipur?

4). In India, there are no Outer and Inner Parliamentary seats except Manipur. Who created Inner and Outer Manipur Parliamentary seats? Is there any article/clause in the constitution of India where such room is inserted? The motive of creating such Parliamentary seats which is questionable as it creates a room for exclusive and inclusive division among the communities of Manipur. The existing Govt. must give a befitting answer to all the citizens concerned.

5). Has Ibobi forgotten “when, where, how and why” the NSCN/GPRN functionaries at IT-Road were released by himself? The incident signifies that there is “Ceasefire in Manipur” and Mr. Ibobi himself knows it but he is a “black-sheep” to “Indo-Naga” talks.

6). Ibobi‘s SPF led-Govt. is a criminal govt. since MLA of Andro, Shyamsunder was jailed at Tihar Jail, caught as UNLF Secretary. Why to talk about other people when SPF led-govt. has criminals including K. Ranjit, Works Minister as we all know how he had learned to shoot a gun at AG Advocate while returning from Ukhrul to Imphal after attending the Luira Festival-2010 along with TD-Minister DD. Thaisii. Surprisingly, valley-based insurgents were caught at MLAs bungalow Babupura-Imphal. But so far the Govt. of Manipur has not taken any legal action against those MLAs who sheltered/harbor the UGs. This prove the state Govt. is encouraging/supporting the unlawful insurgents for there own wasted interests. Has K. Ranjit Works Minster forgotten his criminal records? Let him not speak of other people but be ashamed of himself and tender resignation thereof.

7). Yambem Laba’s press article (Muivah-A Homecoming Too Far) published in the local dailies including “Hueiyen Lanpao Dated: 25^th May, 2010” is disgusting/sarcastic with false propaganda. Has he forgotten how the NSCN/GPRN initiated the release of the then DC-Chandel Y. Thamkishore. Moreover, does he forget how the weapons of 11 (eleven) deceased NSCN (IM) cadres at Pallel by communal ruffians/notorious IRBs of Ibobi govt. were returned to NSCN (IM)?

8). Ibobi is Anti-Tribal and Anti-Naga, by holding ADC Elections in the midst of ‘ECONOMIC BLOCKADE” and authorizing the killing of 2 (two) innocent lives at Mao gate on 6^th May, 2010. Manipur speaks of removing AFSPA and Irom Sharmila dying of AFSPA….. But, Ibobi imposes “self-style AFSPA” at Mao gate even now and as well as at Tamenglong-Noney area. History prevails, GOI fears Nagas. Who is Ibobi?

9). Why Ibobi sent S.P. Imphal East on 26^th May, 2010 to Chandel without prior information to S.P. Chandel? Is S.P. Imphal East Police CDO superior and more powerful than S.P. Chandel? Ibobi forgets that commandos are not allowed in the 5 (five) Hill Districts and he is inviting more problems!

10). The proposed KCP (Lallumba) designated camp at 8^th MR, Leikun Chandel by Ibobi govt. is a policy of taking over tribal land and creating communal disturbance. The Chandel people will never accept and Ibobi will be responsible for any untoward incidents.

11). DGP Joykumar is responsible for the killings of innocent people and injuring hundreds, thousands. He must read “The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes” (prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989), morally and justifiably should be punished by law. Had DGP is forgotten the ethic of police (P=politeness, O=Obedience, L=Loyalty, I=Intelligent, C=Courage and E=Endeavor). But the DGP has turn the abbreviation of police as (P= phattaba, O=Oktaba, L=Lanpamba, I=Isoulanghanba, C=Corruption phamba, E=Enai taba pamba).

The DGP as a law enforcement officer should remember that, his fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception; the weak against oppression or intimidation; and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality, and justice. Here, the big question is whether he upholds the above statement while discharging his duty.

12). UCM does not have the right to question “NAGA HOHO”? It is the mouth piece of Ibobi and Meiteis only. The UCM does not represent the Naga. Therefore, the UCM should be given an abbreviation as United Committee for Meities (not Manipur).

13). Therefore, the Meitei community should stop Cultural Relationship/Ties with the Nagas especially the Tangkhuls for objection to Th. Muivah, Ato-Kilonser, NSCN/GPRN who is a native of Somdal Village, Ukhrul District in view of the following Customs, viz;

a). The Meitei Community must not use “LEIROOM” (Tangkhul cloth pattern) in their marriage and also must not use “KARAO PHI”

b). “KANGLEI HARAOBA” must stop using “Tangkhul Tokpa” Practice.

c). Many other customary practice linked to Naga brethren must cease henceforth.

The above cited points should be taken for introspection and answerable to Ibobi led-govt. with facts and figures, without diluted political options.

This is clear message for all to understand and know that Nagas cannot be underestimated at any point. We have a unique History and Cultural known to the whole world.

Issued in Public Interest:

Media Cell,

Chandel Naga Civil Society Co-ordination Core Committee (CNCSCCC)

IPF Strongly Condemns The Coward Reaction, Response of Assam Police

A Press Release

The Indigenous Peoples Forum (IPF) of Assam’s NC Hills, in the quest for a political solution to the ongoing flux in the hill district, organized a peaceful bandh today (April, 2010) to assert our democratic and citizenship rights. However, we are sorry to become victims of discrimination and high-handedness of the Assam Police. Despite the peaceful bandh, the police forces tackled the volunteers of Indigenous Peoples Forum by employing brutal force and resorted to use their destructive guns and weapons that severely shot and put the following persons in a critical conditions:

1. Lalengzaua Hauhnar (24) S/o Thommin Hauhnar
N Leikul Village
Bullet injury in the chest and arm

2. Tongginlal Lhouvum (22) S/o Ngulkholun Lhouvum
N Leikul Village
Bullet injury in the abdomen

3. Luthau Singson (24) S/o Letlam Singson
Bullet injury on the right arm

4. Sumsanglawm Zate (30) S/o Laihlitho Zate
Bullet injury on the right leg

5. Teusuibe Zeme(32)

6. Teutuile Zeme (22)

7. Miss Isatleing Riame (22)

8. Haimuing

9. Miss Adinle Kuame (30) D/o (L) Kileiting Kuame

The Indigenous Peoples Forum (IPF) strongly condemned the coward reaction and response of the Assam Police in dealing with democratic assertion and protest of its citizens. Such untoward responses are undemocratic, inhumane and uncalled for. Moreover, the brutal response of the Assam Police was a negation of the democratic and citizenship right of the indigenous peoples of NC Hills.

The Indigenous Peoples Forum (IPF) opines that Amitabh Singha APS (ASP) and O/c Shankar Swarggwary of the Assam Police, currently posted in Haflong, NC Hills be  suspended as they have come under the whims and fancy of the communal Dimasa people. We strongly condemned the two officials who have lost their integrity, fairness, truth and justice in such crucial time.

The Indigenous Peoples Forum (IPF), in pursuit of our democratic, constitutional and citizenship rights of the indigenous peoples of Assam’s NC Hills demands that:

1. NC Hills is bifurcated into two autonomous district council; one for the diverse tribes who composed the majority (64%) under the same NC Hills and one for the Dimasa (34%) with whatever name of their choice.

2. The Group of Minister’s Committee that was appointed to change the name of NC Hills be made null and void on moral grounds and a new Committee be reconstituted with new members for finding just and lasting political solution.

3. The victims of Assam Police atrocities be duly compensated and medically treated.

D.B. Thiek
Organizing Secretary
Indigenous Peoples Forum

Media Dialogue Invite on Northeast India: Fallen off the Media Map?

Or, why does the media give so little space to this vast region?

The Foundation for Media Professionals (FMP), in association with the Nehru Memorial Museum & Library (NMML), invites interested individuals to a panel discussion on whether the mainstream media is neglecting the Northeast at the nation’s peril.

Date: March 31, 2010 (Wednesday)
Time: 10.30 am to 1.00 pm

Venue: Auditorium, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, Teen Murti House, New Delhi

Topic: Northeast – Fallen off the Media Map?

The panelists have been specially chosen to bring out the diversity of the Northeast India:

• Subir Bhaumik, BBC Eastern India Correspondent and Author of “Troubled Periphery”
  
• Geoffrey Yaden: Owner-Editor, Nagaland Post
  
• Pradip Phanjoubam: Owner-Editor, Imphal Free Press
  
• R S Pandey, Former Chief Secretary, Nagaland
  
• Syed Zarir Hussain, Managing Editor, News Live, Assam
  
• Dibang, former Managing Editor, NDTV India
  
• Moderator: Sevanti Ninan, Editor, thehoot.org, a media watch website

The issue at focus would revolve around questions such as does the media contribute to the isolation of the states lumped together as the Northeast, and to their exclusion from the mainstream discourse?

Would reporters in Delhi or Bombay be able to even name  the capitals of all these states if asked? How much news space do all the Northeast states together average in newspapers across the country, compared to the coverage given to Kashmir?

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Culture Of Impunity Must End In Manipur

Press Release: Asian Human Rights Commission

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is launching an online signature campaign today marking the 10th year of Sharmila's (Iron Lady of Manipur) fast to end the culture of impunity in the Indian state of Manipur. Sharmila will celebrate her 38th birthday on 14 March this year in the small hospital room where she is detained for the past 10 years by the Indian authorities.

Sharmila started the fast on 4 November 2000, protesting against the violence committed by state and non-state actors in Manipur. The protest demands an immediate end of impunity in the state, for which the withdrawal of the martial law, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA), from Manipur is a prerequisite.

"The ordinary people of Manipur have suffered enough at the hands of the underground militant organisations as well as the state agencies during the past several years..." said Mr. Basil Fernando, AHRC's Director.

"The AFSPA enforced in Manipur to support government actions in the state in countering secessionist activities and underground militant acts has certainly not helped in preventing militancy in Manipur, but has enraged it..." Fernando said.

The Act grants the military wide powers in the so-called "disturbed areas" to shoot-to-kill on mere suspicion, arrest without warrant, search and destroy property with statutory impunity. Over the years it has become a tool of state abuse, oppression, and discrimination thereby violating fundamental rights of the citizen.

The AFSPA has not only led to human rights violations, but has also allowed members of the armed forces to perpetuate abuses with impunity. Extrajudicial killings, torture, rape, disappearances and extortion have fed public anger and disillusionment in Manipur. This is one of the catalysts for militant activities to flourish in the state. The armed militant groups operating in the state also are engaged in similar acts of human rights violations.

The Act is also in the centre of international criticism. In 1997, the United Nations Human Rights Committee expressed concern over the "climate of impunity" provided by the Act. Since then, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (2006), the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (2007) and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (2007), have all called for an end to the AFSPA. The High Commissioner for Human Rights has also urged the Government of India to repeal this Act during her visit to India (March 2009).

Number of national bodies like the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee appointed by the government to review the law, the Administrative Reforms Commission headed by present law minister Mr. Veerappa Moily and the Working Group on Confidence-Building Measures in Jammu and Kashmir led by the present Vice President, Mr. Mohammad Hamid Ansari, have all recommended repeal of the Act.

"Sharmila’s struggle is not just to defend human rights in Manipur, but in reality it is reshaping the foundations of democracy in India. It has become important that all those who defend justice, peace and democracy in India support her struggle, forge ranks amongst us to renew our pledge to end impunity in India..." said Mr. Fernando.

"Irom Sharmila Chanu is Manipur's beacon of peace and hope" Fernando added.

By signing the petition, everyone can state their disapproval of using force with impunity in Manipur and express solidarity to Sharmila's silent protest. The name and other personal details will be kept confidential if required.

The petition will be open for signature until 15 March 2010.

Online petition: campaigns.ahrchk.net/manipur

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Brief Report on Social Audit on Tipaimukh Dam

A PRESS RELEASE

(February 03, 2010)

Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Organisation (SIPHRO) conducted a Social Audit on Tipaimukh Dam project last year in Assam, Manipur and Mizoram. This is the first pioneering work that thoroughly studied the possible adverse impact the Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydro-Electric Project would have on the sensitive and vulnerable indigenous peoples as well as on their social, cultural, economic, political, demographic and environment prospect in three States. Besides the social audit, SIPHRO spent over two months in Assam, Manipur and Mizoram, following river Tuiruong/Barak and engaged with the threatened people in the process of deriving an informed consent. With that pursuit, SIPHRO conducted public meeting, public hearing, discussion, debate, seminar, press conference, and photo exhibitions in different villages, towns and districts in the three States.

In the course of the project, SIPHRO activated and involved diverse civil society groups, village authorities, media, Church-based NGOs, community based organizations and leaders in the process of negotiating and understanding the real interest of the Tipaimukh Multipurpose HEP and what it means for the diverse communities who were directly and indirectly dependent on the river for sustaining their livelihood system. The involved people acknowledged that the SIPHRO initiated programme was the first ever platform where they get to understand the “developmental interest” hidden behind the leviathan project. They also acknowledged that it was the first time that they got to evolve their consent, which will help them to define their stand.

SIPHRO after the course of the project, arrived at the following findings:

1. The indigenous peoples who will be directly and indirectly affect by the Tipaimukh Multipurpose HEP were already left out and marginalized by the project. As a result, they did not know anything about the possible adverse impact the project would have on them.

2. The democratic process for delivering “free, prior and informed consent” was totally absent. Moreover, there is no “active, free and meaningful” participation from the public.

3. Militarisation efforts, particularly by the Government of Manipur, is gaining upper-hand in the name of “development”.

4. The indigenous river peoples in Assam, Manipur and Assam belongs to the most deprived groups, who are still untouched by welfare, development, infrastructure and education.

5. The two public hearings that were held in Darlawn (Mizoram) and Sipuikawn (Manipur) were restrictive and the targeted people did not get to speak/express anything during the so-called hearing. The few public hearings were, therefore, flawed. They were merely “ceremonial contacts”.

6. There is no identification of the people who would be affected by the project.

7. There is no recognition of the survival and cultural uniqueness of the indigenous peoples who along with their land and resources will be affected.

8. Monetary compensation was employed by the dam builders to win the consent and approval of the indigenous peoples in the pursuit of building the dam.

9. There is a strong politician-bureaucrat nexus that is working towards securing monetary compensation in the name of the indigenous peoples.

10. There is no “culturally appropriate development plan based on full consideration of the options preferred by the indigenous peoples”.

11. Nothing about the proposed project is transparent or made accessible for the public.

12. The indigenous communities are not aware of any clear pre-conditions for the Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydro Electric Project’s approval.

13. The project is absent of any social assessment process. Therefore, the proposed Tipaimukh Multipurpose HEP is an imposed and undemocratic project.

14. There is no assessment of the legal status of the indigenous peoples as reflected in the Country’s constitution and legislation.

15. The adverse social impact of the Tipaimukh Multipurpose HEP, whether short term or cumulative, have been seriously under-estimated.

Sd/-

(LALREMLIEN NEITHAM)
Secretary, SIPHRO