Student bodies hailed as AMSU celebrates 57th anniv
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 28 2022: All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU), which was formed on August 28, 1965, one day after the historic Hunger Marchers' Day, celebrated its 57th foundation day at its DM University Campus head office on Sunday with union president Haobijam Chalamba hoisting the flag.

The main event was held at the ground of DM College of Arts.

Addressing the gathering as chief guest, AMSU former president RK Itocha said that AMSU and other student bod -ies have been playing crucial role in protecting the state from external influences and assimilation.

AMSU was born out of necessity when the state faced a severe crisis of food grain shortage in 1965.On the other hand, the Meira Paibi associations are the biggest contributor in the fight to protect the Manipuri society.

Without their proactive participation and leadership, the society would have become a failed society.

Apart from the Meira Paibi associations, student bodies also participated in all major public movements to resolve issues threatening the society, he recalled, while adding that they will continue their role in the society.

While pointing out that AMSU is not a decision making body but a pressure group waging a relentless war for the society, RK Itocha said the union brings up issues threat -ening the society to make the public aware as well as draw the attention of the government.

It is up to the public representatives to take up necessary steps for redressing those issues, he said.

In his presidential speech, incumbent president Chalamba recalled how the state faced a severe crisis of food shortage and how the situation triggered a spontaneous public movement in August 1965, which later came to be known as Hunger Marchers' Day.

He also spoke on how the protestors, who were simply demanding the government for availing food, were killed by police using bayonet.

The movement and response of the government forced the student community to come together and form AMSU, he said.

In the last 57 years of its inception, the union has been working with dedication on several issues of the state.

The 1965 public movement and formation of AMSU will forever remain in the history of Manipur, said Chalamba, who recounted contributions made by the union on issues such as border pillar, ILPS, setting up of RIMS and establishment of Manipur University among others.

Stating that the union will continue to work for the state and its people, he called for public support in its future endeavours.

AMKIL advisor Khangembam Anandi, UCM secretary general Ngangom Deba and All Assam Manipuri Students' Union president Ngaseppam Sanahal were also present at the commemorative event as guests of honour.

CSO leaders and media representatives along with artistes, who presented the Hunger Marchers' Day play, also participated in the event during which a souvenir was also released and a blood donation camp organised.

Prizes were also distributed for the state level general knowledge written competition organised by the union.

AMSU District Committee Jiribam also celebrated the day at the committee's conference hall on Sunday.

Committee president Thanil Thokchom hoisted the union's flag to mark the occasion.

Former president of the union's Jiri unit H Priyananda, incumbent president Thanil Thokchom and Jiri Ima Meira Paibi Apunba Lup president Atom Ashangbi attended the event as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

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