The All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) today observed the 61st Hunger Marchers’ Day, or Chaklam Chongchat, commemorating four student leaders who were killed during a protest against what protesters described as an artificial scarcity of rice in Manipur in 1965.
The observance began with an invocation in the early morning, followed by the hoisting of the AMSU flag and a floral tribute at the memorial of the four students at Pishum Chingamacha in Imphal West.
The programme later featured a mass rally and public meeting, during which speakers recalled the events of August 27, 1965, and reiterated the union’s positions on several issues concerning the state.
Addressing the gathering, an AMSU executive member said Manipur had been facing multiple challenges since the outbreak of the ongoing conflict and attributed the present crisis primarily to what he described as the presence of illegal immigrants in the state.
Bruce Pebam reiterates NRC demand before Census
The All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), observing the 61st Hunger Marchers’ Day, on Thursday reiterated its demand for the “detection, deletion and deportation” of foreigners who entered Manipur after 1951, citing agreements signed with the government in 1980 and 1994.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the observance at the DM College campus, AMSU president Bruce Pebam said updating the NRC should be prioritised given the prevailing situation in Manipur, including the challenges surrounding the resettlement of IDPs.
He said the student body would not accept activities related to the Census before the NRC is updated.
Pebam also appealed to the people to stand united and work towards restoring a peaceful and united Manipur.
The AMSU leader called on the state government not to compromise on the demand for implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census.
He said AMSU, which he described as the first student organisation in Manipur, had for decades campaigned for the detection, deletion and deportation of alleged illegal immigrants under the slogan “Go Back Foreigner”.
Referring to agreements reached with the government in 1980 and 1994 on the issue, he said the union would continue to press for their implementation, citing what he described as the worsening situation in the state.
“There will be no justice if census and delimitation are being carried out in the present scenario,” he said, arguing that the government should first prioritise restoration of peace and address the issue of alleged illegal immigration before undertaking the exercises.
Malangba warns of fresh mass uprising over census and NRC
All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) president Lukram Malangba Meitei warned that a fresh mass uprising could not be ruled out if the government proceeds with the Census without first identifying alleged illegal immigrants through an updated National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Malangba made the statement while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 61st Hunger Marchers’ Day observation and the closing function of the Regeneration Month held at the Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre.
Recalling the sacrifices made by student leaders during the mass movement of 1965, he said the government should take the prevailing situation into consideration before proceeding with the Census and address the demand for an updated NRC.
The AMSU executive member also recalled the events of August 27, 1965, when four students—Nongmeikakpam Promodini, Oinam Nabakumar, Laishram Chaobal and Waikhom Nilamani—were killed by security forces inside the premises of the then Chief Commissioner during the agitation over what protesters described as an “artificial scarcity of food” in Manipur.
According to AMSU, the killings became a defining moment in the history of the student movement in the state. The union was formed the following day and subsequently emerged as a prominent student organisation in Manipur.
The union said it would continue to organise activities and movements on issues concerning the welfare and interests of the people of the state.