Fitting tributes paid at Cheiraoching

By Our Staff Reporter
Imphal, Apr 13 :  As done in previous years, a large number of people, including CSOs, gathered at the Martyrs' Memorial Complex atop Cheiraoching at Thangmeiband and paid rich tributes to the nine martyrs of the proscribed RPF/PLA today.
The nine were martyred in an encounter at Kodompokpi on April 13, 1982.
The offering of floral tributes before the memorial sites of Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal General, Paona Brajabashi, Lamyanba Hijam Irabot and the nine martyrs on Martyrs' Day/Athoubasing gi Numit began at 6 am with a "Pena Yakairol" amid tight security arrangement.
Worship rituals of different religions featured in the memorial ceremony on top of a Thang-Ta salute which honoured the martyrs.
People from various communities, CSOs and family members of the martyrs also presented floral offerings on the occasion.
The Red Cross Society set up a camp to meet any medical necessities while other medical teams were present at the foothills.
At the event, Khundrakpam Medha, sister of martyr Khundrakpam Chaoba alias Rajendro, extended solidarity to the bereaved families of the two innocent children who were killed in the Tronglaobi bomb attack and the three unarmed civilians who lost their lives in the subsequent CRPF firing.  
On behalf of the martyrs' families, she expressed her gratitude to the public for gathering at the martyrs' memorial sites at Cheiraoching and Kodompokpi to offer their respects.
On the occasion of Martyrs' Day, she made a request to the people of Manipur to offer a candle in prayer tonight at their respective residential gates.
The nine RPF/PLA martyred cadres are Thoudam Kunjabihari and Thoudam Loken from Kakwa Nameirakpam Leikai, Maibam Paka alias Chaothoi from Heirok, Langpoklakpam Dilip alias Pakhanglakpa from Keishampat, RK Khoiromba alias Gyane from Moreh, Sorokhaibam Kameshwor from Heibongpokpi, Khundrakpam Chaoba alias Rajendro from Kwakeithel Moirangpurel Leikai, Naorem Rajen from Kakwa Naorem Leikai and Moirangthem Premkumar from Tera Sapam Leikai.
As part of today's memorial event, floral tributes were also offered at the martyrs' memorial site at Kangjam Kollup in Kodompokpi Mayai Leikai.
Separately, similar scenes of tribute offering were witnessed at the memorial site of four RPF officials and three PLA cadres at Tekcham.
They were gunned down in an encounter with security forces at Tekcham in Thoubal district on July 6, 1981.