Protestors at the sit-in dharna at Chandel on Tuesday, June 30. (Morung Photo) Chandel, June 30 (MExN): With the escalating incidences of killing of migrant workers in Manipur in the recent past, the non local business community in Manipur today in a ‘first of its kind’ collectively registered its protest against the indiscriminate killing.
About 100 non-local businessmen from various trades today took part in the peaceful sit-in protest in the new market area of the district headquarters Chandel from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Traders also closed down shops as a sign of protest and traffic was paralyzed but no untoward incident was reported during the dharna, the organizing committee of the sit in protest informed.
Poster and placards condemning the senseless killing and appeals to stop the killing of non local workers were displayed at the sit-in-protest. The protesters also called the authority in concern to bring justice by punishing the perpetrators of the crime.
Memorandum to the PM
In this regard a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister of India was also submitted by the traders to the Deputy Commissioner, Chandel, Devesh Deval.
A copy of the memorandum will also be placed before the Governor and the Chief Minister of Manipur. The traders in the memorandum addressed to the prime minister lamented the fact that despite heavy deployment of armed forces in the state of Manipur the killings of non-local laborers/traders by un-identified gunmen have continued unabated. The worst affected of these senseless killings are women and children, the memorandum noted.
The memorandum appealed the prime minister and his government to deliver “fair justice to all people of the country irrespective of cast, creed or color.” It demanded the protection and security for all non local workers in the state capital of Manipur. It further demanded that the perpetrators be brought to justice while also stating that equal compensation to all the victims be made.
The joint memorandum was signed by the Chandel Naga Peoples Organization, Naga Students Union, Chandel, Chairman Small Town Committee, Chandel, Non-local Traders Union, Chandel, Naga Women Union Chandel and the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights.