The All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) on Thursday observed the 61st Hunger Marchers’ Day, or Chaklam Chongchat, commemorating four student leaders who were killed during a 1965 protest over what was described as an artificial scarcity of rice in Manipur.
The programme began with an early-morning invocation, 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 district. A mass rally and public meeting were also held to commemorate the events of August 27, 1965.
An AMSU executive member said the state continued to face several challenges amid the ongoing crisis and reiterated the union’s demand for the implementation of the National Register of Citizens before the census. The leader also said AMSU would continue its campaign for the detection, deletion and deportation of alleged illegal immigrants.
The four students—Nongmeikakpam Promodini, Oinam Nabakumar, Laishram Chaobal and Waikhom Nilamani—were killed during the 1965 agitation over the alleged food scarcity. According to AMSU, the incident became a defining moment in Manipur’s student movement, and the organisation was formed the following day.
The union said it would continue its activities and movements on issues concerning the welfare and interests of Manipur.
