IMPHAL, NOVEMBER 9 (MExN): The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CMRAM) today condemned the attack on Agnes Kharshiing and her companion Anita Sangma was also attacked; and expressed concern at the increase in cases of targeting of human rights defenders across India’s North East. A press note from the CMRAM said that these attacks involve “direct targeting of community leaders and the curtailing of the functioning of human rights organizations, undermining the crucial role of civil societies in fostering a democratic, an accountable and human rights oriented development processes in Meghalaya and across India’s North East.” It urged upon the Government of Meghalaya to take urgent steps to investigate and arrest those personnel involved in the attack. “The Government of Meghalaya should stop illegal mining of Coal and Limestone in Meghalaya. The Government of India should stop all forms of harassment and targeting of indigenous human rights defenders and curtailment of the functioning of human rights organizations and uphold the provisions of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, 1999. The Government should take urgent steps to protect the rights of human rights defenders in Meghalaya and across India’s North East,” the CMRAM further demanded.
