1965 heroes remembered fittingly
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Aug 27: Remembering the student leaders who sacrificed their lives during the August 27, 1965 agitation against artificial scarcity of rice in Manipur, the 43rd Hunger Marchers’ Day was observed today along with taking out a mass rally and paying befitting tributes to the martyred student leaders.
After offering floral tributes and paying homage to the martyred student leaders namely Nilamani, Nabakumar, Chaobhal and Pramodini at their Pishum Chinga Macha memorial, the mass rally was taken out till THAU ground at Thangmeiband where a public meeting was held.
Organised under the aegis of All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) as in the past, today’s function was also attended by representatives of Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM).
Presided over by AMSU president Khamba Laishram, the public meeting proceeded with Vice Chancellor of Manipur University Prof C Amuba taking the dais as chief guest and DESAM president H Ashir-jit Luwang, former AMSU presidents Y Priyokumar, RK Itocha, L Gojendra and S Budhichandra as guests of honour.
The meeting also adopted three resolutions. The first resolution stated that AMSU would fight against hike in the prices of essential commodities with the co-operation and support of the people. The second resolution stated that AMSU would continue its anti-drug campaign along with the support and co-operation of the teachers and students and the third resolution said that AMSU would fight against violation of human rights with the support of the people.
Earlier giving the key note address, general secretary of AMSU Premananda Tongbram recalled the events leading to the students’ agitation against artificial scarcity of rice in 1965.
Speaking as chief guest, Prof C Amuba observed that while paying homage to the student leaders who laid down their lives during the course of agitation against artificial scarcity of rice in 1956, attention should also be given to the problems of rise in the price of essential commodities today.
The main message and objective behind observing the Hunger Marchers’ Day should be unmasking the evil forces which are trying to usurp the rightful shares of the people, he added.
In his presidential address, Khamba Laishram pointed that AMSU has been observing Hunger Marchers’ Day every year to remind the people that AMSU is always at the beck and call of the people in taking up social causes
DESAM president Ashirjit Luwang, who also spoke at the occasion noted that the significance of the Hunger Marchers’ Day is not only for AMSU but for all the people of Manipur.
In the light of ever escalating price of essential commodities and people under the control of big businessmen, observance of Hunger Marchers’ Day has become all that more relevant today, he said, while exhorting the people to stand up as one against such evils in society.
Apart from former presidents of AMSU, leaders of civil organisations spoke at the meeting.
