Newmai News Network
Imphal: The Manipur branch of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) has commenced its mass campaign seeking an early settlement of the prevailing crisis in Manipur.
The mass campaign commenced with a formal function held today at Manipur Press Club, Imphal.
Speaking on the occasion, the general secretary of AITUC Manipur, L Sotinkumar stressed the need for early settlement of the ongoing crisis arising out of ethnic conflict in the state while asserting that the protracted crisis has given a big blow to society with the working class section of society affected the most.
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He alleged that it was due to a lack of political will that the crisis had been allowed to escalate. Due to failure on the part of the state as well as the central government, not only the internally displaced persons but the living conditions of all sections of society were severely affected, he also said.
The people have crossed their tolerable limits, he said while stressing the need for initiating a political dialogue to resolve the conflict, Sotinkumar added.
He then said that while observing this year’s May Day on May 1 last in which representatives of as many as 64 different bodies of workers, a 13-point demand to be placed before the government was adopted.
It further resolved to launch various forms of movement while pressing the government to translate the 13-point demand.
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The key points of the demand included setting up a highway protection force, hiking the minimum wages per month of the workers to Rs 26,000 and initiating a political dialogue to resolve the crisis unfolding in the state since May 3 last year, Sotinkumar said.
Asserting the setting up of a dedicated force to be deployed along the national highways in the state, Sotinkumar said that more than 1,000 people, mostly drivers, have been killed by armed miscreants on the national highways.
On the hike of wages, he added that employees in the private sector including drivers, people working in shops and other business establishments and journalists in the media, are paid very little.
The AITUC Manipur also strongly opposed the “privatization of public sectors” taking place in the country under the BJP-led NDA government at the centre.
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If the demands are not addressed at the earliest after the mass campaign launched today, the AITUC Manipur will take a decision to launch many forms of agitation including a mass court arrest stir, Sotinkumar said.
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