The day is observed in remembrance of the two martyrs who were killed in a police firing during an agitation of the anti-foreigner movement in 1980 and also to resolve to be able to follow their ethos, said AMSU president Haobijam Chalamba
TFM Desk
All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) on Saturday observed the 41st Realisation Day, remembering Potsangbam Lukhoi and Huidrom Loken who were killed in a police firing during an agitation of the anti-foreigner movement in 1980. Floral tributes were paid at Pisum Chingamacha and the AMSU flag was also hoisted.
A large number of students and AMSU activists took out a rally towards Manipur College, Singjamei, where the main function was held.
Speaking at the function, AMSU president Haobijam Chalamba said that Manipur had seen an influx of non-Manipuri in large numbers after the state became a part of India. The state’s mechanism to check the influx was revoked. As such the students’ community realised that only classroom education was enough, he added.
In the ensuing movement in 1980, spearheaded by AMSU, the two students martyred, he said. The day is observed in remembrance of them and also to resolve to be able to follow their ethos, he added.
Casting doubt on the measures taken up by the government to save the indigenous people of the state, he said and added, “it is a big question how far the ILP will be able to save the indigenous people”.
Chalamba further contended that without the support of non-Manipuri voters, getting elected is becoming impossible in some Assembly Constituencies of the state. AMSU feels that it is unfortunate that in some polling stations there is a possibility of not having a single voter from the indegineous communities, he added.
Former AMSU president and assistant professor of the Department of Economics, Manipur College, L Gojendro, former AMSU secretary general and associate professor of Department of Law, Manipur University, Yumnam Premananda and AMSU advisor and JCILPS convenor YK Dhiren were seated on the dais.