AMSU observes Hunger Marchers' Day
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 27 2009: The 44th Hunger Marchers' Day commemorating the uprising of the people of Manipur in 1965 against an artificial scarcity of rice was observed here with the traditional student rally and homage paid to the students martyred during the Chaklam Khongchat.

The observation function kicked off in the morning at Pishum Chingmacha, with rituals (yakairol), and floral tributes paid at the memorial set up for the four martyred students, namely, Nilamani, Nabakumar, Chaobhal and Pramodini.

President of AMSU, Irengbam Jamesbond led the people in paying the tribute.

There followed a mass rally participated by around 5,000 students, women and other from Pishm Chinga macha to DM College of Arts Ground via Keisampat.

A public meeting was also held at the DM College of Arts ground, Imphal chaired by Jamesbond Mangang, president, AMSU.

March commemorating the Chaklam Khongchat of August 27, 1965 being taken out in Imphal streets

Placards with slogans like "Long live Manipur, Long live AMSU, allow students study in peaceful atmosphere, control the price of the goods by government, repeal AFSPA, better to have no such government which cannot maintain tranquility of people." etc.

were displayed during the massive rally.

Speaking at the meeting president, Jamesbond expressed concern over the reducing spirit of sacrifices possessed by the forefather among the younger generation of today.

He also called for pressing together to the government for taking up steps to stop increasing disturbances given to the students in study.

Students must unite in pressing for the same.

The speakers at the lauded the deeds of the martyred students who had lost their lives at the hands of the security forces while agitating against artificial price rise.

Before 1975, Manipur produced surplus food grains to feed its entire population.

But after the year 1975, state has to procure additional foods outside the state, the speakers said observing the main reason behind the shortage of food grain as increase of population and shrinking of cultivable lands.

Asking where has the funds released for the annual plan for the development by the India government in the state of Manipur gone, one of the speakers observed that a huge chunk over 30 percent of the annual outlay went into the pocket of the chief minister, ministers and bureaucrat officers.

Undergrounds also share a few percentages of the funds.

This greatly affected to the developmental process in the state.

That is people of the state becoming poorer day by day despite their hard works.

Another factor is the large number migrant people entering in the state who snatch the work places of the state people, the speaker observed.

Several other also lamented the fact that students of the state were unable to avail of progressive and quality education, being mired in degree/certificate-based education which is worthless.

They also attacked the government for the victimisation of civilians by the security forces in the name of UGs, contending that the state has become a killing zone because of irresponsible political leaders.

The meeting today also resolved that AMSU and the larger public would stand against unnecessary rise in the price of essential commodities; students are to stop using drug abuse as part of the anti drugs campaign being taken up by the Student's Union and that the people of Manipur be united as one against the violations of human rights in the state.