IMPHAL, Aug 27: Marking the 46th Hunger Marchers’ Day, thousands of students today paid befitting tributes to the martyrs who were killed by security forces during a protest demanding availability of rice at Raj Bhawan on August 27, 1965.
The Hunger Marchers observation was organized by the All Manipur Students Union (AMSU). Students from various institute in the state floral tribute was paid at the Chingamacha, memorial site since early morning today.
After the floral tribute the students took out a procession holding placards and banners saying “Let uproot the trend of imposing economic blockade in Manipur”, “Repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act” and “implement innter line permit” etc, till the DM college campus where a meeting was held at the DM college of sciences ground.
Speaking during the meeting, Thokchom Suresh, president AMSU, said that the hunger marchers day in 1965 was against artificial scarcity due to heavy export of rice from Manipur but today’s scarcity is base on failure to import rice.
He said that Manipur was self sufficient due to an effective work culture but today the state solely rely on imported goods from outside the state adding he urged all section of the society to unitedly strive for regaining the lost work culture.
Depanjit Ningthoujam, secretary general AMSU, strongly condemned the failure of the Manipur Legislative Assembly to resolve on the issue of implementation of Inner Line Permit in Manipur.
He further decried the inability of the government that is likely to seek help from Central government with regards to the implementation of the ILP.
Y. Nabachandra, executive member of UCM, urged the students to digest the issues like AFSPA, ILP etc. concerning the state and confront together unitedly.
He said that the demand of separate district of Sadar hills is genuine however prolonged imposition of economic blockade has interpreted it to negative one.
In 1965, August 27, Manipur faced an artificial acute shortage of rice owing to heavy exports of rice from the state. Protesting the scarcity students marched on the streets of Imphal in protest demanding availability of rice in the state. On reaching governor’s bungalow they were fired on the protestors leaving four dead. The day is observed as Hunger Marchers Day sine then.
