History might repeat again: AMSU President
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 27 2021: All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) observed the 56th Hunger Marchers' Day under the theme 'Today's challenges, our resurgence' in remembrance of the 1965 public movement against artificial rice scarcity.

The main observance function was held union's office located inside DM University campus on Friday.

Earlier in the morning, AMSU president Haobijam Chalamba hoisted the union's flag at the memorial site of the martyrs of Hunger Marchers' Day at Pishum Chingamacha followed by union members and family members of the martyrs paying floral tributes to the martyrs namely Oinam Nabakumar, Laishram Chaobhal, Nongmeikapam Pramodini and Waikhom Nilamani.

Former president of the union Leihaothabam Saratchandra, Haobijam Chalamba and DM College of Arts principal Dr Chungkham Sheelaramani attended the main event held at AMSU head office as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, Saratchandra recalled the contributions of student community in fighting the artificial food scarcity that struck the state in 1965 and encouraged the union to continue to work for the welfare of the society.

He called upon the union members and the whole student community to join hands for bringing about a self-reliant society.

AMSU president Haobijam Chalamba, who presided over the function, said that the 1965 movement was initiated by student community, who could not pay their attention in their study due to scarcity of foods, which was caused by unregulated export of rice.

However, the government gave bullets instead of rice and four student activists were killed by police.

Today, rich and influential people are playing with the foods of the public and the public need to identify those who are playing politics on rice.

Apart from rice, farmers are also facing unavailability of urea.

Besides, there is no proper irrigation facility.

The public need to understand the root cause of such issues and who are responsible for causing distress to the public, he said and added that history might repeat again if the government does not take up measures to make the state self-reliant in terms of food production.

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