Homage paid to student martyrs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 27 2011: As in the previous years, the 46th Hunger Marchers' Day was observed today in commemoration of the mass movement of August 27, 1965 against artificial food scarcity in which four people were killed in police firing.

The main feature of the observance was offering of tributes to Nilamani, Nabakumar, Chaobal and Pramodini who were martyred in the movement at their memorial tomb at Pishum Chingamacha.

The observance was participated by a large number of students coming from different schools, and colleges including nursing institutions.

From Pishum Chingamacha, the students took out a rally upto the premises of DM College.

Throughout the course of the rally, the students shouted slogans such as 'Repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur', 'Government must fix prices of all commodities', 'No commodities should be sold at escalated prices', 'Introduce Inner Line Permit System in Manipur', 'Don't create artificial food scarcity and invite for another hunger march', 'Implement National Highway Protection Act', 'Long live Manipur' etc.

The rally after passing through Ngakraba Leirak came to Mayai Lambi and went past Keishamthong, Keishampat, Wahengbam Leikai and Nagamapal before winding up at DM College campus.

There a huge public meeting was held in commemoration of the Hunger Marchers' Day.

A rally taken out in connection with the Hunger Marchers' Day observance

The observance organised by AMSU was also participated by functionaries of MSF, DESAM and KSA.

The public meeting was graced by former AMSU president S Noren, AMSU president Thokchom Suresh, MSF president Laishram Ibomcha, DESAM president LC Santosh and KSA president Yumnam Dilipkumar as presidium members.

Giving key-note address of the meeting, AMSU general secretary Dipanjit Ningthoujam recalled that Manipur witnessed artificial food scarcity under the Indian rule in 1965 for the second time after witnessing similar situation under British colonial rule in 1939 .

The artificial food scarcity of 1965 despite abundant production of paddy was caused by the then rulers in cahoot with some businessmen.

Taking strong exception to such reckless manipulation, a large number of people including students came out to streets and launched a movement in the course of which Nilamani, Nabakumar, Chaobal and Pramodini were killed in police firing.

Since then, AMSU has been observing August 27 as Hunger Marchers' Day in memory of the historic event, said Dipanjit.

Former AMSU president S Noren underscored the relevancy of the Hunger Marchers' Day to the present day situation where prices of all essential commodities have skyrocketed.

The message of the Hunger Marchers' Day is that the people would always stand against evil forces and their designs to manipulate prices unscrupulously, and cause hardships to the people, Noren asserted.

Hunger Marchers' Day observance is a reminder to the public that AMSU would always fight against any artificial food scarcity, stated Thokchom Suresh.

Leaders of MSF, DESAM and KSA noted that Hunger Marchers' Day is becoming more and more relevant to the present situation.

The observance was also attended by leaders of different civil society organisations.

The Hunger Marchers' Day was also observed in the premises of Ima Kondong Lairembi, Moreh under the aegis of AMSU, Chandel District Committee.

In connection with the Hunger Marchers' Day observance, a painting competition for school students was also held at the border town.

Winners of the painting competition would be given prizes tomorrow, the foundation day anniversary of AMSU, reports our Moreh correspondent.

Our Jiribam correspondent adds: Hunger Marchers' Day: The 46th Hunger Marchers' Day was also observed under the aegis of AMSU Jiribam District Committee at the auditorium of Jiribam Higher Secondary School today.

Principal of Jiri College Dr N Bijaya, president of AMSU Jiribam District Committee M Kiran and president of JIMPAL Th Jini Devi attended the observance function as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

The observance was attended by around 300 people including students from various schools in Jiribam.