RPF's Martyrs Day, Fitting homage paid
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 13: In memory of the martyred cadres of the proscribed RPF/PLA, the Martyrs' Day was observed today at different parts of Manipur.

The day has been observed as Martyrs' Day for the last many years after 9 PLA cadres were killed in a historic gun battle with security forces at Kodompokpi on April 13 of 1982.The main observation of the Martyrs' Day was held at the memorial complex at Cheiraoching at Chingmeirong.

There, members of the Families' Committee For Observation of April 13 led a large number of people in paying floral tributes to the memory of the deceased.

People, well wishers and friends paying tributes to the martyrs on the occasion of April 13

Even as the Imphal Bench of the Gauhati High Court passed an order that no restriction should be imposed on family members and relatives paying floral and other tributes at the memorial complex, numerous security personnel were seen deployed at Cheiraoching and the surrounding areas.

Members of the Families' Committee For Observation of April 13 also paid floral tributes to the martyrs at the battle site of Kodompokpi together with a large number of local people.

A similar memorial observation was also held at Tekcham in Thoubal district.

It may be recalled here that seven PLA cadres were killed in another battle with security forces at Tekcham on July 6, 1981.The proscribed RPF/PLA had earlier appealed to the people to cease their day's work and suspend all entertainment programmes on Martyrs' Day.

A statement issued by the outfit reminded that a glorious history of liberation movement is being written for the last 29 years since September 25, 1978.Saluting and paying their obeisance to their deceased cadres on the occasion of Martyrs' Day, RPF once again conveyed their resolute stand to restore the lost sovereignty of Manipur.

The outfit further asserted that the acts of vandalism carried out by security forces at the sacred memorial sites are clear testimony to the fact they (Central security forces and State Police commandos) lack the basic sense of humanity.

The outfit's statement issued by its Assistant Secretary of Communication and Publicity Lily Leima also conveyed their heartfelt gratitude to all the people, NGOs, students, club volunteers, Meira Paibis, water supply, medical and media personnel for their enthusiastic participation in Martyrs' Day observation.

For the vital encouragement being given by the people in the liberation movement, and for their offering of fire at night, RPF conveyed its indebtedness to the people.

The manifestation of the united strength by the people while bearing the brunt of the liberation struggle thereby confirming that the revolutionary movement being pursued is the right and inevitable path stands as a clear evidence of acknowledging the sacrifices made by RPF and its armed wing PLA for the cause of people's liberty, observed the outfit.

Pledging that RPF/PLA would never act in such a way that may diminish the love and faith reposed in the outfit by the people, PLA further promised that it would fight with all its strength without ever turning back for liberation of the motherland and the people.

However, it resented the little inconveniences caused to the people while offering tributes to the martyrs.

Whatever restrictions imposed by the Government against the people on this historic day is deliberately done to remind the people that the land is still under colonial rule, the outfit asserted while maintaining that the people can pay tributes to the martyrs freely only when Manipur is liberated from the colonial yoke.

As of now, the outfit called upon the people to bear the inconveniences and face the hindrances.

Asserting that it has learnt of certain misinterpretation/misunderstanding because of the outfit's statement issued on April 11 in which RPF called upon the people to cease the day's work today, it clarified that the statement only meant to suspend the day's work for sometime and to participate in the Martyrs' Day observation.

Nevertheless, RPF/PLA regretted the misunderstanding caused by the statement.