Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, July 25:
The Senapati District Students� Association, SDSA, said in keeping with the call of the Naga Students� Federation, NSF, public rallies were held at seven different places in the district yesterday, according to a late faxed press release.
The release said in all 88,030 people from all walks of life participated in the rally.
Giving a precise break-up, the release said at the Senapati headquarter, there are 17,310 participants; in Maram Khullen there were 10,864; in Tadubi gate there were 35,750; in Purul there were 6750; in Willong there were 3539 and in Yang Kullen there were 2941 marchers.
At Senapati, the rally started at he Senapati Mini Stadium and proceeded towards the forest gate, Paomai Church and then back to the stadium via the DC office.
Among those who spoke at the public meeting after the function were M Dili, president NPO, Senapati; Vipopal Kintao, president NSF; Thamaiyar A Zamik and Ashiko Mao.
The speakers laid emphasis on the crucial crossroads the Nagas were standing on and urged the Nagas to remain resolute in their belief.
The meeting gave its strong support to the extension of the NSCN(IM) cease fire without territorial limits and also its opposition to any move to review this decision by the government of India.
A separate press release said, at Purul, the Pumai Naga-Union too held a meeting after the rally.
The meeting drew up a declaration at the end of it, urging central leaders to understand the ground reality of Manipur in which people living in 2238 sq km of the land area of the state were allegedly exploiting the tribals living 22,302 sq km of the state�s land.