At the initiative of the Manipur Students’ Association Delhi, a dharna was organized on March 21 at Jantar Mantar, to protest against the recent killing of migrant workers in Manipur. Leaders and activists Several organization including Communist Ghadar Party of India, CPI (ML), Lok Raj Sangathan, Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union, All India Students’ Association, AISA JNU Unit, Janata Dal (United), MASS, Hind Naujawan Ekta Sabha and Purogami Mahila Sangathan participated in the dharna, alongwith a large number of Manipuri students from Delhi.

The fact that the Manipuri students came out in large numbers on Holi eve to condemn the brutal sectarian killings of Bihari workers in their state, was a fitting rebuff to the Indian state and its agencies in Manipur, who are leaving no stone unturned in their attempts to incite sectarian divisions and violence to crush the struggle of people of Manipur against the fascist Armed Forces Special Powers Act and for their rights. The demonstration showed the high level of political consciousness of the people of Manipur, and their concern for the rights of all. This was aptly summed up in the statement issued by progressive Manipuri organisations, forwarded by the Committee on Human Rights, which stated clearly — “our struggle is against the Indian state, not against the Indian people!”

Pointing to the mass opposition to the killings by all peoples organizations in Manipur, the speaker from the Communist Ghadar Party of India denounced the killings as state-organised, as a part of the attempts of the Indian state to break the unity of the people and crush their resistance to the state terror and systematic violation of human rights in Manipur. Speakers from all the participating organizations condemned the killings of migrant workers in Manipur and unanimously issued a joint statement of condemnation. The speaker from Lok Raj Sangathan highlighted the valiant struggle of the Manipuri people against the AFSPA and the brutal army terror and denounced this dastardly act aimed at destroying the unity of the fighting people.