The AII India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) has demanded the government for deployment of highway protection force at two national highways of Manipur for safe and smooth passage of vehicles.
AITUC made the demand during a one-day district convention on territorial integrity of Manipur, deployment of highway protection force and peace in Manipur organised by AITUC Thoubal district branch at Heirok part (ii) Thokchom Leikai community hall Sunday.
Speaking at the convention, AITUC general secretary L Sotinkumar said that the state has been craving for peace since the ethnic violence between two communities that broke out on May 3, 2023 which has taken more than 150 lives and more than thousand houses have been burnt. He added that gunfights in the peripheral areas still continue and the territorial integrity of the state is at stake.
People of the Meitei community are stuck within the 7000 sq km valley areas of the state and the Meiteis have been only using the air route to travel to other states due to the ongoing violence, he said.
Sotinkumar said that the worst violence hit victims of the state are the labourers due to lack of jobs. He also alleged the government of not trying their best to bring back peace and normalcy in the state.
Remembering Human Rights Day during the convention, he strongly condemned the brutal killing of 13 unarmed people by suspected Kuki narco terrorists after abducting them. He also expressed suspicion over the government of India and Kuki terrorist jointly carrying out genocide on the Meitei people.
AITUC Thoubal district president M Rajmuhon, AMAWWU state coordinator Kh Sanahanbi, AITUC Manipur state secretary Kh Samungou and one labourer Th Tama from Heirok attended the event as presidium members. Labourers from Heirok, anganwadi workers and other people attended the convention.