LOUSHAL observes 'Loumi Numit' 2015
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, September 21 2015: Loumi Shinmi Apunba Lup (LOUSHAL) observed "Loumi Numit" 2015 during a grand function at Pungdongbam memorial complex in Imphal East on Monday.

Floral tributes were paid to Jananeta Hijam Irabot on the occasion.

Marking the event the organizer also honoured 10 farmers for producing surplus indigenous rice.

Former Dean of Central Agriculture University (CAU), Dr Naorem Iboton attended the function as chief guest and LOUSHAL president Mutum Churamani Meitei and former Pradhan of Pungdongbam, Sagolsem Ibochouba were the President and Guest of honour.

Pungdongbam incident of September 21, 1948 occurred during the height of the movement launched by Jananeta Hijam Irabot against the proposed creation of a State called Purvachal.

Irabot on behalf of the Manipur Praja Sangha and Manipur Krishak Sabha called a meeting at the MDU Hall on September 21, 1948 to protest against the formation of Purbachal Pradesh, composed of Manipur, Tripura, Cachar and Lushai Hills.

A scuffle took place at Pungdongbam when the Manipur State Police prevented a group of citizens who came to attend the meeting in which a police officer was killed on the spot.

The Manipur State Council declared the Manipur Praja Sangha and Manipur Krishak Sabha unlawful.

The State officials declined to constitute an Inquiry Committee to investigate the Pungdongbam incident.

In his speech, Dr Naorem Iboton said, "We must remember the sacrifice made by pioneer Hijam Irabot who wanted freedom and self-reliance." He called upon the State Government to cancel its plan for setting up of the proposed Sports University at Yaithibi Loukol which is one of the important arable areas of Manipur.

Mutum Churamani also spoke during the function.

He commented that owing to the increasing population and decreasing production status, Manipur now has to rest on others for everything.

Quoting a recent statement of Chief Minister O Ibobi that Manipur imports rice up to 6.71 lakh tonne annually from other States, Churamani said the average annual rice production of the State is only 2.7 lakh tone.

He highlighted the need for significant increase in rice production in the State.

Delivering the keynote address, LOUSHAL Secretary M Sunil recounted the works of Irabot whose desire was to emancipate the farmers of Manipur.

He observed that fulfilling the demand for reinstating the 'pre-merger status' will be the final solution for the present State of Manipur.

Sunil said that the people's movement began with the historic Pungdongbam incident.

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