Hunger Marchers' Day observaton takes grim note of escalating prices
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 27 2022: The Government should inter-vene to control the ever rising prices of essential commo-dities, lest they may face a second 'Chaklam Khong-chat' .

AMSU president Haobi-jam Chalamba made the remark while speaking at the 57th Hunger Marchers' Day observation organised by the All Manipur Students' Union today.

The programme started with Haobijam Chalamba hoisting the flag of AMSU at the memorial site at Pishum Chinga followed by paying of floral tribute to the martyrs who gave their lives during the Chaklam Khongchat.

Afterward, a peaceful rally was carried out from Pishum Chinga to DM College of Arts ground on the theme 'Learn for emancipation' .

Hunger Marchers' Day observaton takes grim note of escalating prices

Addressing the gathering at DM College Arts ground, Chalamba said on August 27, 1965, students took out a peaceful rally demanding food amidst artificial food shortage.

But instead of listening to the students' demands, the Government unleashed brute force upon the students wherein Nila-mani, Nabakumar, Pramo- dini and Chaobal were martyred.

In remembrance of the sacrifice made by those martyrs, AMSU had been observing the day as Hunger Marchers Day since then, he added.

Chalamba added that Manipur used to be self-sufficient in food grain production before becoming a part of India.

However, ever since the merger with India, big businessmen have been pulling the string and controlling the prices of essential commodities.

He also alleged that elected MLAs and Ministers are doing politics in distribution of rice and fertilizer at subsidized rates.

They are playing with the lives of the poor and affecting the productivity of farmers, he added.

Speaking at the programme, YK Dhiren, vice-president UCM stressed on the need for the younger generations to follow the lead of past generations.

If they want to enjoy their democratic rights, they need to participate in the democratic movements.

Focusing only on the academic aspects will never be able to change the society for better, he added.

He also appealed to all the students to join the "War Against Drugs' and contribute their share in making the society drug free.

The programme was also attended by former president of AMSU Ayekpam Dijen, representatives from various CSOs and students.

The Red Cross Society also opened a first-aid camp at Keishampat junction so as to provide first-aid to the participants of the rally, if there was any need for such help.