SENAPATI, Nov 11: In a historic move, YOUTH RISE FOR CHANGE (YR4C) organized a peaceful dharna in Senapati District, Manipur, against the glaring corruption in the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and New Development Bank (NDB) projects. The dharna, held in front of the Multi-Purpose Hall opposite to the DC Office main gate, witnessed an overwhelming participation of over 160 youth and likeminded individuals from 5 major Naga tribes inhabiting the district.
The protest was sparked by the brazen misappropriation of crores of rupees meant for providing functional household tap connections (FHTC) to rural households in different villages under Senapati district. Despite serving a 15-day ultimatum to the PHED Senapati, the authorities failed to provide the required financial statements, utilization certificates, bills, and vouchers, leaving the youth with no choice but to take a stand.
The dharna featured a pledge-taking ceremony, where participants vowed to fight against corruption and demand accountability from the authorities. The event also witnessed passionate slogans against JJM corruption, with participants shouting “JJM Scam, Must Go!”, “Corruption Kills, PHED Senapati Shame!”, and “Right to Water, Right to Life!” among others.
Community representatives delivered powerful messages against corruption, condemning the JJM and NDB scams and demanding justice for the affected communities. The dharna also featured an exposition of corruption in JJM and NDB by PHED through strong messages displayed on placards, banners, and headbands, with slogans like “STOP CORRUPTION”, “JJM: A Den of Corruption”, and “PHED: Public Hopes Eaten by Devils”.
Participants wore headbands with “STOP CORRUPTION” emblazoned on them, staging a peaceful protest to raise awareness about the corruption and demand action from the authorities.
“We will not rest until justice is served and the corrupt are brought to book,” declared the youth leaders. “The Right to Water is the Right to Life, and we will fight for it tooth and nail.” The dharna served as a clarion call for change, demanding an end to the culture of corruption and the beginning of a new era of transparency and accountability.
YR4C demands that the authorities take immediate action to:
- Investigate and expose the JJM and NDB scams
- Suspend and prosecute the guilty officials
- Ensure the return of the looted money
- Provide clean drinking water to all rural households
The youth of Senapati district will continue to rise against corruption, and it is imperative that the system is changed and the chain of corruption is broken. The future of the present and next generation depends on it.
