Govt urged to hold talks to end violence
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 16 2024: Let us not elect BJP MPs in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and instead put an end to the BJP government, urged All India Trade Union Congress Manipur State Committee general secretary L Sotinkumar.

Extending solidarity to the nationwide protest called by Sanyukta Kisan Morcha and Joint Platform of Central Trade Union and Independent Sector Federation, All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) Manipur State Committee staged a protest at Irabot Bhavan complex on Friday.

Speaking to newspersons in this regard, Sotinkumar stressed the need for holding a political dialogue to put an end to the prevailing violence waged by Kuki militants.

The violence, which has been raging for over nine months, has put immense burden on the people.

The blockade of the NH-02 continues unabated, while the demand for a Highway Protection Force remains unfulfilled.

Amid this, it is the labourers/workers who are suffering the most.

Urging all to put an end to BJP's reign in the upcoming Lok Sabha election, he remarked that BJP MPs do not want to discuss any serious issue in the parliament.

A government who is allegedly orchestrating the violence in Manipur and extending support to Kuki militants should not exist, he contended.

Sotinkumar continued that labourers/workers are denied of their wages, let alone any profit.

Corporates are fixing the prices of agricultural produces.

As such, around three lakh farmers have died in India from 2022 till the end of 2023.Despite mass agitation, the three farms laws have not repealed till date.

In addition, privatisations of existing firms have affected employments while Anganwadi and ASHA workers are forced to survive on a meagre amount of honorarium, which is way behind present standards, he conveyed, while informing that agitations on Manipur's issues will continue.

The main demands made during the protest include solving the nine-month long conflict, deporting Chin-Kuki foreigners who are trying to disintegrate Manipur to their original country, upholding integrity and unity of Manipur, no to any separate administration in Manipur, deploying highway protection forces in Imphal-Dimapur and Imphal-Jiri road, awarding befitting punishment to anyone blockading the two highways, stop appointment on contract and part-time basis, and regularisation of existing contract and part-time workers.

A similar protest was also staged at Lamsang Bazar by All Manipur Nupi Marup and participated by other leaders and representatives of the Lup and AITUC.

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