Sit in protest staged against EU-India FTA
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 22 2011:
A mass sit in protest against the European Union - India Free Trade Agreement was staged today at Japhou Bazar, Chandel.
Students, members of women organizations, Civil Society Organisations and people from different business communities participated in the protest.
The Widow Welfare Society (WWS), Christian Social Development Organisation (CSDO) and Chandel Khubul Social Welfare Arts and Cultural Association (CKSWACA) jointly organized the protest.
Speaking on the occasion, PS Ngammung Anal, General Secretary CKSWACA said that they are poor and innocent people who depend on cultivation, farms and forest products.
They do not have much knowledge and skill about business, so if the FTA is signed then many skilled and rich European businessmen will come and consequently the indigenous people will lose all their rights.
The agreement should be brought up in the Parliament for discussion before signing it.
Moreover the government of India should ensure that the FTA will not affect the rights of the indigenous people and the products of the mountains, rivers, forest, medicinal plants.
Public opinion is also necessary for the government of India to sign the FTA.
They also submitted memorandum to the Home Minister of India, Commerce and Industries Minister and leaders of all Opposition Parties in the Parliament.
It may be mentioned that a mass rally cum public meeting was also held against the FTA at Moreh on August 6 in which hundreds of people from all walks of life participated for the common cause.