May Day a wake up call: PREPAK
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 30 2014: Stating that continuous suppressive policies unleashed by the Government of India has resulted in gradual decadence of Manipur's (Kangleipak) socio-economic vibrancy which is turn is forcing the working class to endure severe hardships that even their rights cannot be safeguarded, the proscribed PREPAK said arrival of yet another May Day is a grim reminder to all concerned to fight for their rights.

Greeting the working class section of Manipur on the occasion of Workers' Day also observed as May Day, a statement issued by LeibakNgakpa Luwang, assistant secretary, Publicity and Propaganda, PREPAK said deliberate agenda of India to suppress voice and movement of the common people of Manipur has been demonstrated by the fact that the rich, political class and bureaucrat officials have been getting wealthier with each passing day compared to the working class fighting for survival.

As the common people continue to struggle for survival it is obvious that focus of the masses remain on how to support oneself and the family thus constricting their contribution towards the Nation building process even if they have the desire.

Moreover abandoning the collective will to voice dissension against the oppressors is understandable for the people are forced to grab their share from the limited resources, said the secretary while regretting that faced with such challenging situation people often tend to compromise moral integrity in either scouring for income generation source or resorting to unethical means to support the family.

Such a situation not only promotes corruption and encourages corrupt elements to devastate the local economy but eventually compel the working class to accept 'corporate' economy headed by the affluent section of the society.

Construing 'corporate' economy as one of the policies embedded in the Manipuri society by 'Indian rulers' to maintain its grip on Manipur, Luwang holding the affluent section of the society equally responsible as the Central Government suggested that those at the helm of affairs introspect gravity of the situation and take pro-active measures to put the local economy on the right track before it is completely crippled and the people get dependent on sops doled out by elements inimical to the interest of Manipur.

That the working class people are being exploited by the rich and influential individuals is clearly evident from the low salary paid to them which with the exception of ensuring two square meals a day cannot meet basic expenditure on education of their children or in case of medical emergency, the PREPAK statement said.

Noting that subjugation of the working class is also having adverse impact on the food producers (farmers) who are no longer willing to toil in the fields due to low return on their produce, Luwang said inspite of being the food providers farmers today have to follow diktats of the business community.

As farm products no longer command price compatible to the labour invested the farmers too have to ponder on whether to sustain their traditional profession or trade off their ancestral property for investing in other ventures, opined the secretary while stating that all such unwanted development is a fallout of Government of India implementing policies on the model of the British imperialists.

Apart from gradual captive of the local economy by a handful of selfish individuals the State machinery of late has been adding to the misery of the people in a clandestine manner, Luwang observed.

While the indigenous work-force continue to be exploited for they have no one to rely on rapidly expanding population of non-locals has also been limiting source of income generation for the locals as outsiders have started to occupy almost all the manual works, he said and accused Municipality, khaki-clad personnel and human traffickers of encouraging alien influx in exchange for money regardless of the fact that such a trend will ultimately destroy the local economy and have socially adverse consequences.

The social impact of an economy that survives at the diktat of affluent business community is being exemplified by the law enforcement agencies targeting helpless women street vendors rather than acknowledging and sympathising upon them they too are among many struggling to sustain livelihood.

With the sincere intention to feed their children violently disturbed in Khwairamband Keithel some women vendor forced into immoral acts is a reality, Luwang said regretting that such anti-social activities had been happening in an area from where the Nupi Lan originated.

claiming that PREPAK is fully aware of those responsible for various ill afflicting the Manipur and asserting that suitable action would be initiated to check the trend, LeibakNgakpa Luwang reiterated that observance of May Day provides yet any opportunity for the people to renew their pledge and fight for their rights.

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