My friend Meitei has been arrested.
[I don’t post anywhere very often, but I posted this on dkos early this morning and am very encouraged by the response. This is an emergency situation, please take action here at Booman Tribune. Thank you]
I first met Umakanta a few years ago. He is a leader of the Meitei people who live in Manipur, India. He is the spokesperson for Apunba Lup, a coalition of 34 human rights organizations in Manipur. He is in his mid thirties and recently had his first child, a beautiful baby girl.
To me, he looks like a young Dalai Lama, so naturally when we first met I started calling him “Your Holiness”. It just seemed to fit. In my circle the nickname has caught on. Now, indigenous leaders from all over the world affectionately refer to him as “Your Holiness”, which makes him laugh. And wouldn’t you know it, his laugh sounds just like the Dalai Lama’s.
Manipur isn’t like the rest of India. In Manipur there is no democracy. For over fifty years the state has been under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which allows the military to basically do whatever the hell they want. They rape women, children and men. They kill. They pillage. For over fifty years the military in Manipur has been doing things more horrible than most of us can imagine. Noone is ever prosecuted. When someone tells you that India is the biggest democracy in the world – don’t believe it.
The indigenous peoples of Manipur, the Meitei, have been peacefully protesting for the repeal of this and other unjust, unnecessary and draconian law for many, many years. When they protest, the military becomes more violent. What they do to those poor people will break your heart. The politicians do nothing. Their only concern seems to be making sure that corporations in the area are making their money.
On August 16th a bomb exploded at a religious celebration. Five people died and over forty were injured. A baby girl was born yesterday that had shrapnel from the bomb in her. It went right through her mother’s womb. The baby is now at the hospital with her mother, Kalpana, trying to survive.
Yesterday, the people of Manipur organized a peaceful protest to denounce the bombing. Thousands of people took to the streets to demand respect for religious diversity and respect for life, and the military targets the organizers for harrasment, beatings and torture. The day before the march another organizer was arrested, Mr. Yengkokpam Langamab Meitei. He was asleep at home when the police and the military came for him. We still don’t if he is still alive, and if so where he is being held.
Why would the military want to stop people from protesting against an act of terrorism? Could they have had something to do with it??
I’ve been visiting this site now for a couple of years, and I’ve been amazed at what you Kossacks can accomplish when you put your noses to the grindstone. Umakanta needs a quick response from the international community. His life depends on it.
Will you lend a hand? C’mon send an email, or better yet send a fax or make a phone call.
Thanks
Update [2006-8-24 14:6:41 by American Zapatista]: I finally got through on the telephone to Manipur after several hours of no communication. Umakanta is being tortured. He has passed out several times during his interrogation. His house has been trashed. The civil society groups in Manipur have begun protesting for his release. They have moved him from the Imphal West Police Station to an undisclosed location.
Thank you to all here at DKOS have responded to this and written letters or emails of support. Even the US Embassy has expressed concern for his well being to the Manipur Police. At least they now know people are watching.
It is about 11pm in Manipur right now (2pm EST). This is a critical moment. It’s going to be a long night. Please keep sending letters and making phone calls.
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Manmohan Singh
The Prime Minister of India
Prime Minister’s Office
Room number 152, South Block
New Delhi
INDIA
Fax: 91 11 23016857
2. Mr. Okram Ibobi Singh
The Chief Minister of Manipur
Chief Minister’s Secretriat
Babupara, Imphal, Manipur
INDIA
Fax: 91 385 2221817
Email. cmmani@hub.nic.in
3. Justice Mr. Y. K. Sabharwal
The Chief Justice of India
Through the Office of the Registrar General
Supreme Court of India
1 Tilak Marg, New Delhi
INDIA
Fax: 91 11 23383792
Email: supremecourt@nic.in
4. Mr. Justice A. S. Anand
Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission of India
Faridkot House, Copernicus Marg
New Delhi-110001
INDIA
Tel: +91 11 23074448
Fax: +91 11 2334 0016
E-mail: chairnhrc@nic.in
5. Mr. L. P. Gonmei
Commissioner, Civil Secretariat
Imphal, Manipur
INDIA
Fax: 91 385 2311793
6. The Chairperson
Manipur State Human Rights Commission
Courts Complex
Lamphelpat, Imphal, Manipur
INDIA
Fax: 91 385 410472
