FCI labourers' families protest, Govt recommends FCI to solve issue
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 28 2019: Families of the 31 FCI (Food Corporation of India) labourers who were arrested by police during their agitation against termination of work, stormed the Food Storage Depot (FSD) at Sangaiprou today and dumped their household utensils demanding immediate release of the arrested individuals.

On the other hand, the State Government has directed the Deputy General Manager of FCI Regional Office, Manipur, to bring an amicable understanding between the involved firm and the labourers immediately so as to ensure that implementation of NFSA in Manipur is not hampered.

In the afternoon, a large number of womenfolk and family members of the arrested labourers arrived at the FSD gate and began piling their utensils.

Looking after the situation, the guards deployed in the area, locked down the gate but the womenfolk began hurling the pots and pans into the compound, all the while shouting various demands.

After some time, the people gradually dispersed and not long after, a team of Lamphel PS came and cleared the area of the debris/utensils.

Speaking to media persons, one of the women, Loktongbam Ibetombi (75) from Heikrujam said that all of the agitator who came today are either women whose husband or sons have been arrested by police.

Arresting the labourers who were just demanding work to earn their livelihood, is a condemnable act, she lamented, adding that her son, Jiban (36) is among those arrested by police.

It may be mentioned that CAF&PD Labourers Welfare Association has been protesting the termination of the labourers' contract by NR Mathai Enterprises and from December 16 till date, a total of 31 labourers have been arrested by police in connection with the protest.

On December 26, children of the arrested labourers even surrendered their school bags to the Education (S) Directorate at Lamphelpat demanding their fathers to be released.

On the other hand, FCI had clarified that an open e-tender would be processed concerning the contract awarded to NR Mathai Enterprises.

The body had also claimed that it had nothing to do with the engagement of labourers.

On the other hand, the Joint Secretary of CAF&PD, Manipur has written to the Deputy General Manager (R-II) of FCI Regional Office, Manipur, urging the body to consider the demands of the association within the framework of admissible rules and regulation of FCI for early resolution of the matter.

It explained that prolonged agitation and the resulting disturbance of normal operations of FCI depot at Sangaiprou have brought a negative image for both CAF&PD and FCI.

Clarifying that the association is not endorsed by or affiliated to the State CAF&PD, it recommended FCI to facilitate a negotiation between NR Mathai Enterprises and the agitating labourers for an amicable solution os that essential operations related to implementation of NFSA in the State are not disturbed.

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