Imphal: The United Nations Human Rights Council on Friday has raised alarm over threats to Babloo Loitangbam, a prominent human rights activist based in Manipur’s capital Imphal, by some Meitei organisations/groups amid the Manipur unrest. Babloo Loitongbam is the director of the Human Rights Alert in Manipur.
According to the UN Human Rights, organisations/groups such as Meitei Leepun and Arambai Tengol has threatened activist Loitangbam, who himself is a Meitei, for “speaking out on inter-communal violence since May” in the present ethnic violence in Manipur.
“We are alarmed by threats to human rights defender Babloo Loitangbam by Meitei Leepun & Arambai Tengol groups in #Manipur for speaking out on inter-communal violence since May. We urged authorities to protect him, his family & home, & hold perpetrators accountable,” the UN Human Rights Xed.
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Babloo Loitangbam, an acclaimed human rights defender, has consistently been critical and vocal about the state of affairs in the ongoing crisis engulfing Manipur. He has, especially raised concerns over the role of radical groups operating in the state.
On Thursday evening, Babloo Loitangbam’s home in Imphal West was attacked by unidentified miscreants, the same day when the Meitei Leepun boycotted the rights activist from speaking in public platform until the Manipur violence is resolved.
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As per sources, around 30 unidentified miscreants came by two vehicles and stormed the activist’s home at Kwakeithel Thiyam Leikai in Imphal West and vandalised properties of the Babloo Loitangbam. The incident occurred at around 6 pm.
At the time of the incident, activist Babloo Loitangbam was said to be out of station.
The Meitei organisation also boycotted former additional superintendent of police Thounaojam Brinda from making public statements till the time Manipur’s unrest is addressed.
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