Assam students march for peace
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 29 2023: Calling for peace to be restored in Manipur, more than four thousand people took out a rally in Assam's Hojai and submitted a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister to the District Circle Officer today.

The peaceful mass rally was led by All Assam Manipuri Students' Union and several student bodies and organisations of different communities in Assam.

The rally started from the premises of the office of the Hojai District Committee of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad Assam and proceeded towards the office of the Hojai District Circle Officer, said a report of the Barak Mapao.

At the office of the District Circle Officer, representatives of the organisations submitted the joint memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling on him to restore normalcy and peace in Manipur.

Assam students march for peace

The joint memorandum highlighted the issue of influx of illegal immigrants in Manipur and North East States and the threat it poses to the indigenous population of the region.

The impact and change in the demographic profile of the North East States as a result of continuous influx of people from neighbouring countries through the porous international boundaries in the last many decades is a great threat to the survival of the indigenous people of the region.

The marginalization of the indigenous peoples of the region, particularly in the economic development and other opportunities by the illegal infiltrators should be addressed at the highest level of the country, said the joint memorandum.

"While there are many pressing issues in the State of Manipur, which can be studied and reviewed in the days to come, we urge your good office to immediately pay a visit during these trying times to win the hearts of the people of Manipur to restore peace and harmony," read the joint memorandum.

Seeking the attention of the Prime Minister and appealing to find the truth whether foreign Nationals are involved directly or indirectly in the ongoing violence and political development, the joint memorandum stressed that the continuous haul of narcotics and massive destruction of forests in the region is of serious concern for the future generations of the country.

Whether narco-terrorism is linked with the mass deforestation for poppy plantations in the North East States, including Manipur or not, has to be defined to save the indigenous people, it added.

Further stating on the violence in Manipur, the memorandum said that the ongoing arson notwithstanding the heavy presence of State and Union Security personnel ever since violence erupted almost a month ago calls for an urgent review of the prevailing situation with a will, courage and political wisdom to bring normalcy and tranquillity in Manipur.

"Although there is a need to find the root causes of the mayhem, the priority is to instill confidence in the minds of the citizens by exhibiting that the Rule of Law of the Nation exists and humanity will prevail.

Protecting the lives and property of every citizen, providing essential commodities to the affected people and securing all the Highways for safe passage of transportation and movement of people is paramount and should be of utmost importance at the crucial juncture," it said.

While appealing to the people of the State to practise restrain, the organisations said the Government should also check the artificial hike in the prices of all commodities by the business communities and stockists.

The organisations which signed the memorandum include All Assam Manipuri Students' Union (AAMSU), North East Indigenous Peoples' Forum, Indigenous Forum, Assam, All Dimasa Students' Union, All Assam Sonowal Kachari Students' Union, Tai Ahom Students' Union, All Adhivashi Students' Association of Assam, Axom Jatiyabadi Yuba Parishad, All Moran Students' Union, All Assam Deori Students' Union, United Manipuri Association Assam, Manipur Peoples' Front, All Hojai District Samaj Unayan Committee, Karbi Students' Association, All Tiwa Students' Union and All Assam Gorkha Students' Union, Hojai District.