CPI (M) protests

IMPHAL, Sep 19: CPI(M), as part of the Nationwide week-long campaign, organized  a sit-in-protest today at Hiyanglam. The Communist Party of India and its mass fronts are holding a week-long campaign to bring to the forefront the demands and needs of the people during the lockdown period.
The protest was addressed by Kshetrimayum Santa, secretary CPI(M) Manipur State Committee and Taibangjam Deben, state Committee member of the party.
The campaign focused on six main demands. The first being, immediate cash transfer of Rs 7500 per month for the next six months to all families outside the income tax bracket. Secondly, immediate distribution of free food grains of 10 kg per individual per month for the next six months to the needy. Third, expand MGNREGA to ensure at least 200 days of work a year with enhanced wages. Fourth, promulgate an Urban Employment Guarantee Act. Fifth, announce unemployment allowance to all the unemployed and lastly, to safeguard the Indian Constitution and its fundamental guarantees of liberty, equality and fraternity for all the citizens.
Kshetrimayum Santa, while addressing the protest, also highlighted several issues including the intensification of communal polarization, targeting of minorities, large-scale attacks on democratic rights and civil liberties of people and the likes. He also alleged that the unwanted political development in Manipur is a manifestation of the BJP led Government.