IMPHAL: In its yearly human rights evaluation report, the United States’ state department asserted that there were “significant abuses” occurring in Manipur.
According to its report, the US state department indicated that over 60,000 individuals were displaced in Manipur from May to November last year.
Furthermore, it noted that over 200 individuals lost their lives in “fierce fighting” between the tribal Kuki-Zo and the predominant Meitei communities in Manipur following a court ruling proposing the extension of ST privileges to the majority Meiteis.
Furthermore, the US state department report on human rights evaluation highlighted ‘attacks’ on minorities, journalists and dissenting voices across India.
The US state department report also alleged that there were “numerous instances” where the government and its supporters purportedly exerted pressure or subjected media outlets critical of the government to harassment.
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In its assessment, the US further asserted that “religious minorities” in India have reported instances of discrimination, including calls for violence and the dissemination of misinformation.
Senior US official Robert S Gilchrist emphasizes the importance of upholding human rights obligations, urging the Indian government to engage with civil society representatives and address their concerns effectively.
“We strongly encourage, urge India to uphold its human rights obligations and commitments,” stated Robert S Gilchrist, senior official from the US bureau of democracy, human rights and labour.
Gilchrist added: “We also regularly meet with civil society representatives both in the US and India to hear their perspectives, and those sorts of perspectives inform the human rights report, and we encourage the government of India to consult and meet regularly with civil society organisations representing a diversity of people.”