Fitting tributes paid on Athouba Singgi Numit

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Apr 14 : On Athouba Singgi Numit, rich floral tributes were paid to nine martyrs of proscribed outfit RPF-PLA at their memorial site at Cheiraoching, Imphal yesterday.
As part of the event, families of the nine cadres, killed in encounter with Army, and a large number of people from different communities also paid their homage to the memorials of Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal General, Paona Brajabashi and Lamyanba Hijam Irabot.
Notably, the nine cadres were killed in an encounter with the Army in Kodompokpi on April 13, 1982.
The nine cadres include Thoudam Kunjabihari and Thoudam Loken of Kakwa Nameirakpam Leikai, Mai-bam Paka of Heirok, Pakhanglakpa of Keisham-pat, RK Khoiromba of Moreh, Sorokhaibam Kame-shwor of Heibongpokpi, Khundrakpam Chaobal of Kwakeithel Moirangpurel, Naorem Rajen of Kakwa Naorem Leikai and Moirangthem Premkumar of Tera Sapam Leikai.
Even as people in large numbers paid homage to the nine "martyrs", strong security measures were put in place with personnel of the Red Cross Society and other medical teams on the site.
The High Court of Manipur had allowed the memorial service to be observed between 6 am and 4 pm.
Various religious rituals and Thang-Ta were performed as part of the event.
Khundrakpam Medha, a family member of one of the "martyrs" said Athouba Singgi Numit is observed every year on April 13 to pay homage to the "martyrs".
She thanked people for attending the memorial event, and the Red Cross Society and security forces for their service.
A similar event was held at Kodompokpi, where the nine cadres were "martyred" on April 13, 1982.
People also paid homage to seven RPF cadres killed in 1981 at Tekcham.
RPF, meanwhile, has thanked and appreciated the people of electronics media, bar association, clubs, associations, institutions, staff of Health Department, teachers, students, doctors, nurses, police and the people residing around Cheiraoching for their contribution in observing the Martyrs’ Day.