By Dr. Syed Ahmed, for TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: The Manipur unit of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) organized a ‘silent rally’ against the economic blockade in Manipur called by Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC) and counter economic blockade by the United Naga Council (UNC), which have brought untold sufferings to the people of Manipur.
The mass rally on 27th September, 2011 was taken out from Lilong Bazar to Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the Governor of Manipur in Imphal. However, the rally was stopped mid-way by the state force. More than 500 people took part in the silent march.
The silent rally
SDPI, Manipur state, also submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Manipur, Gurbachan Jagat, on the same day to appraise the centre on the present crisis in the state brought by the ongoing economic blockades and sought an intervention to resolve the situation. The memorandum was submitted by a team led by the executive members of the SDPI Manipur unit, which included SDPI President Maulana Wahidur Rahman, General Secretary Rafi Shah, Secretary A. Majid, and former President of the party, Benjamin M. Shah.
Maulana Wahidur Rahaman expressed at a press conference held earlier that the party has been seriously observing the present sufferings of the common people in the state caused by the prolonged economic blockade and counter blockade by two of the major communities of the state, Kukis and Nagas. It is quite unfortunate, he added, that both the State and Central government have failed to bring any sort of solution to the situation and letting the agitators a free-hand in violent activities. It is after considering all this that SDPI had decided to organize the silent rally from Lilong to Raj Bhavan to submit the memorandum to the Governor of the State, Rahman further added.
SDPI National President E. Abu Bakar giving the inaugural speech
SDPI in its memorandum expressed that the economic blockade called by the SHDDC is not the right time though the demand is genuine. “The economic blockade is called on the behest of some politically motivated persons for taking political advantages in the ensuing General Election of Manipur…taking advantage of such situation, UNC also for their ulterior motive, made a counter blockade which caused more sufferings to the people especially to those living in the valley areas,” it stated.
The blockade has brought the prices of all essential commodities enormously, while the state government, unable to handle the situation and maintain peace and tranquility in the state, remains a “silent spectator,” the memorandum further added. SPDI appealed to the Central government for immediate intervention to resolve the crisis before it goes beyond the control.
A discussion session
SDPI, Manipur State, also organized a two-day leadership camp on 20-21st September, 2011 at a community hall at Lilong Bazar to give leadership skills to the youths. The camp was attended by the national executive members of SDPI, which included SDPI National President E. Abu Bakar, SDPI Vice-Presidents Prof. Nazima Begum and A. Sayeed, and National Working Committee member of SDPI Azhar Tambori.
The camp was attended by around 200 delegates. Prof. Nazani Begum gave a lecture on SDPI and its activities, while A. Sayeed spoke on the ideology of the party. Azhar Tambori spoke on the Right to Information Act, 2005, and informed the campers on how and where to use the Act. Dr. Syed Ahmed, Lecturer of Lilong Haoreibi College spoke on Muslim politics in India with special reference to Manipur, and cited some of the reasons for the poor representation of Muslims in the Parliament and State assemblies. Md. Ramijuddin Ajaz, Advocate Guwahati High Court, Imphal Branch gave a lecture on Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958.
SDPI team at the office of the Sharmila Kanba Lup
The SDPI national executive members tried to meet the social activist, Irom Sharmila, who has been on hunger-strike for almost 11 years.
However, the state government denied them the permission to meet Sharmila, who is in judicial custody. Instead the team visited the office of the Sharmila Kanba Lup (Save Sharmila Organization) and met the members of the Lup.