Imphal, July 19 NNN: The Dy. CM, Gaikhangam said, to bring a civilized society, we should protect human rights together.
\nHe was speaking as chief guest at the inaugural function of a seven day training on human rights organized by centre for human rights and duties education, Manipur University at the auditorium of the centre.
\nRegarding the prevailing situation in which people of Manipur refused to receive a body till a final solution is nothing but a disturbance to human rights. As per customary rules, the people should perform the last rites of the deceased.
\nThe dy. CM further said, human rights has become a big issue for the world. The society as well as the individuals should abide by this.
\nDue to the advancement of technology violation of human rights is increasing. Besides, the knowledge of criminals is also increasing. If we forget responsibilities and duties, human rights will be of no use.
\nThe minister was of the view that the organizers should submit the recommendations of the seven day training so that a forward law can be enacted.
\nHuman rights organizations based in the state remained silent when non-state actors abuse the human rights even though they strongly shouted against the state actors when they violated the rights.
\nHe called upon the people of the state to jointly protect the human rights for a prosperous and developed society.
\n\u201cPeople of the state should not simply go along with their one sided views and keep on countering each other as there is no dearth of stones to be thrown to each other,\u201d Gaikhangam said, expressing concern over the recent emerging trend of not receiving dead bodies for fulfilling the demands they put up is not a right decision.
\n\u201cIt is beyond the tradition of the human society,\u201d Gaikhangam added.
\n\u201cWe should respect any dead body and perform its last rites\u201d, the home minister said, asserting that leaving the dead body without performing the last rites is tantamount to violation of human rights.
\nThe summer training camp participated by students, police personnel, members of civil organizations and resource persons from various part of the state was organized by the Centre for Human Rights and Duties Education, Manipur University. It would be concluded on July 23.
\nResource persons observed that human rights abuses in Manipur have been an ongoing issue. The security forces have been committing several human rights violations in Manipur while suppressing a separatist insurgency in the region.
\nAt the same time, the insurgency groups have been known to kidnap and recruit children to work as child soldiers against the Indian Government.
\nThey observed that separatist insurgency began in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur in 1964, although momentum to a more violent phase did not occur until 1978.
\nThe separatists demand a sovereign state separate from the union of India, conceding their grievances over lack of development, plundering of local resources and a general discontent in Manipur.
\nHuman right activists argued that human rights violations by security forces have only fuelled the insurgency. Security forces have at times acted with impunity as anti-terrorism laws in the state make prosecution of human rights violators difficult.
\nThe Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 is a controversial legislation that was passed on September 11, 1958 by the Parliament of India granted \u201cspecial powers\u201d to the security forces in regions which the act refers to as \u201cdisturbed areas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n