Hunger Marchers' Day observed
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 27 2010: Students leaders of yesteryear taking part in the observance of the 45th Hunger Marcher Day here today said the trend of disintegration among different social organisations, revolutionary groups and a lack of effective governance has created a chaotic situation in the state.

Speaking as chief guest in the observance function held at THAU ground, where the rally marched from Pishum Chinga converged, the first general secretary of the All Manipur Student's Union (AMSU), G Joykumar Sharma said a trend of disintegration among civil organisations has dragged Manipuri society into the chaotic situation prevailing today.

Splinter revolutionary groups with little idea of what it is to be a revolutionary have added another blow to the chaotic situation in the state.

The time has come to eliminate such splinter revolutionary and civil society groups by a concerted effort of the government, he observed.

School girls offering floral tributes to the memorial site of four student martyrs at Pishum Chinga hillock

He also called upon the people to know the facts behind the uprising of August 27, 1965 and observed that it will be of useful knowledge to today's generation.

Former president of AMSU, Bheigyachandra decried the prolonged imposition of economic blockade on the national highways that has made the people suffer.

The decision taken to impose the blockade UNC is not a right decision, he said.

He also said the body has been instigating to break the age old harmonious lives of the people of different communities in the state by classifications such as Naga and Meitei but they forget who will be benefited when a communal clash erupts.

It will be the gain of the outsiders.

They will gloat when the age old co-existence of people in the state falls apart.

This should not be forgotten by all, he added.

Even though they have repeatedly spewed venoms to the Meiteis or to the people in the valley, they will not get the desired response since the people in the valley have enough patience to withstand any eventuality.

Bheigyachandra reminded that Meiteis had not blamed the Nagas when the Centre declared ceasefire with NSCN(IM) without territorial limit.

President of AMSU, Irengbam Jamesbond observed the difference between the then artificial scarcity of food faced in 1965 and the present scarcity and said at that time, the food scarcity occurred due to over export of the state's own product.

The present food scarcity being faced by the people is caused by some vested interests.

Some people are blocking the highways in their own interests leaving behind the plight of the people while others are taking advantage of the same and selling goods at higher rates, he added.

The commemoration function observed by AMSU began early in the morning today with "Yakairol" at Pishum Chinga where the memorial site of the four students died in the August 27, 1965 uprising is situated.

Thousand of students took out a mass rally under the banner of All Manipur Student's Union to commemorate the 45th Hunger Marchers Day also popularly known as Chaklam Khongchat.

The rally kicked off from Pishum Chinga where tributes were paid to the martyrs who were killed on 27 August 1965 by security personnel.

In 1965, the people of Manipur faced an acute shortage of rice and students marched on the streets of Imphal in protest.

The police fired on the protestors leaving four dead.

Till date, this day is observed as Hunger Marchers' Day.

The event also marked the founding of All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU).

The rally converged at THAU ground Thangmeiband, where a public meeting was held to mark the observance of the day.

Before the rally kicked off, floral tributes were offered at the memorial site of the four students erected at Pishum Chinga near Manipur College.