Rich tributes paid on 'Athoubasinggi Numit'
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, April 13 2013 : People belonging to different communities paid rich floral tributes to those who were killed during a gun battle with security personnel at Kodompokpi on April 13, 1982, popularly known as 'Kodompokpi incident' on the occasion of Athoubasinggi Numit at the Martyrs' Memorial Complex located atop Cheiraoching, Thangmeiband here today.

After the 'Kodompokpi incident', a committee by the name of Manipur Martyrs' Committee had been formed for setting up the Martyrs' Memorial Complex at Cheiraoching and it started observing Athoubasinggi Numit along with offering floral tributes to the departed souls every year since 1990.However, after some years, offering of floral tributes at memorial complex was banned by the State Government.

It was only after a Committee formed by the families of those killed in the 'Kodompokpi incident' filed a petition, the Gauhati High Court granted permission for allowing offerings of floral tributes since 2001 again.

This year too, the Court permitted offering of floral tributes from 8 am till 3 pm today.

People offering floral tributes at the martyrs' memorial complex

Still then, like every year, all the people were checked and identified at the foothills before allowing them to go for paying floral tributes at the Martyrs' Memorial complex.

On the sidelines of observing Athoubashinggi Numit, a blood donation camp was also held at the foothills of Cheiraoching.

Speaking to mediapersons, senior citizen, Th Iboyaima, who among others who came to offer floral tributes, said that it was very unfortunate on the part of the State Government to prohibit the people from offering floral tributes at the memorial complex of State Heroes like Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal General, Paona Brajabasi and others who laid down their lives for their motherland.

KT Rehman, President of AMUCO, who was present at the memorial site, observed that presence of so many people belonging to different communities and offering floral tributes to all those who have laid down their lives for the cause of Manipur including Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal General, Paona Brajabashi and Hijam Irabot, clearly indicated that the people do not want to remain under the colonial rule of anybody.

It may be mentioned here that nine important members of proscribed PLA including the then chief of the party Thoudam Kunjabihari of Singjamei Nameirakpam Leikai were killed in a gun battle with the Indian army at Kodompokpi village on April 13, 1982 .

Other members who were killed in the incident were Thoudam Loken of Nameirakpam Leikai; Maibam Pakka of Heirok; Langpoklakpam Pakhanglakpa of Keishampat; RK Khoirumba of Moreh; Sorokhaibam Kameshwar of Heibongpokpi; Khundrakpam Chaobhal of Kwakeithel Moirang Purel; Naorem Rajen of Naorem Leikai and Moirangthem Premkumar of Tera Sapam Leirak.