Thousands of Voice of the People Party (VPP) supporters took to the streets on Thursday as the party’s much-publicised protest march to the State Secretariat witnessed a massive turnout.
The rally passed off peacefully under heavy security deployment and without any untoward incident.
Supporters began converging near Civil Hospital well before the start of the programme, with many others joining the procession as it moved through the city.
The crowd steadily swelled as participants continued to pour in even after the march had commenced.
The procession saw VPP leaders and supporters march around the State Secretariat before halting briefly at the Additional Secretariat parking lot.
From there, the rally continued past the State Secretariat towards the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
Addressing the gathering from atop a pickup truck during the halt at the Additional Secretariat, VPP president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit reiterated the party’s stand on key public issues that prompted the protest. Party leaders and supporters raised slogans throughout the march as it proceeded along the designated route under police supervision.
Speaking to reporters following the rally, Basaiawmoit expressed satisfaction with the turnout, stating that the overwhelming participation sent a clear message to the administration.
He reiterated that the party was compelled to take its protest to the streets because opposition members were not allotted adequate time in the Assembly to hold meaningful discussions on critical public matters.