AMSU calls for a self reliant society
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 26 2020: The All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) has called for unity and making the State self reliant on the eve of 55th Hunger Marchers' Day which falls tomorrow.

The student body in a statement today stated that the Hunger Marchers' Day tomorrow will be observed in a small yet significant manner following COVID-19 guidelines and SOPs issued by the WHO and Health Department.

Few representatives of the AMSU and dignitaries will pay floral tributes to the four martyrs at the memorial site at Pishum Chinga.

Flag hoisting ceremony will be held at 8 am at AMSU HQs.

This year there will be no mass parade/rally due to COVID-19, AMSU said.

Recalling that four brave souls including three students lost their lives in police firing on August 27, 1965 mass movement against man-made famine, AMSU reminded people of the State that the movement was not only against the man-made famine but also against oppression of the poor and exploitation of right to livelihood/life.

The mass movement in 1939 and 1965 against the man-made famines had paved way for the people of the State to strive for becoming self-reliant, said AMSU.

Highlighting the importance of the day, AMSU said that the State needs to improve its agricultural sector and encourage farmers.

Thousands of acres of agricultural/arable lands have submerged under water with the construction of the Loktak Hydroelectric Project.

The Ithai Barrage among others are causing flash floods/flood like situations during monsoon season damaging acres of paddy fields every year, said AMSU adding these structures should be shut considering the adverse impact they have on the people and the environment.

Even as the Government of India has enacted the National Food Security Act, it will have no meaning if it is not implemented properly, AMSU said.

The student body also commented on the ongoing Naga peace talk between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India and recalled that the prolonged negotiation between them has caused many issues and problems in the State.

Even though the Government of India has assured that the conclusion of the talks will not affect the neighbouring States of Nagaland, people are still apprehensive about the impact a final solution would have, it said asserting that the State's integrity should not be infringed upon in any way.

AMSU also denounced the planned delimitation based on the 'controversial' Census of 2001 and stated that carrying out the process forcibly without the consent of the people may create division among the different communities in the State.

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