Many pay homage to June event martyrs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 18: Cutting across community or religious lines people in large numbers thronged Kekrupat memorial site to pay their obeisances in remembrance of those persons who laid down their lives to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur.

While State level civil society organisations observed the 6th anniversary of the masses' revolt against extension of the ceasefire between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) without territorial limits, under different themes and titles, the commoners ceaselessly arrived at kekrupat from early morning to pay floral tributes at the memorial site.

At THAU ground, Thangmeiband, AMUCO, like in the past observed the day as 'Unity Day' while the UCM remembered the tumultuous event as 'the Great june Uprising Day' at Kekrupat.

AMUCO functionaries who joined the people in paying their respect to the martyred souls at Kekrupat, later hosted a public discussion session at THAU wherein speakers stressed on focusing more on strengthening age-old ties amongst various communities.

Rather than hassling for leadership, it's time for the people of Manipur to produce a single leader with genuine concern for the common interest of the State, observed many of the speakers who addressed the Unity Day observance.

The 6th Unity Day observed in commemoration of the martyrs who laid down their lives in the June 18, 2001 events, at THAU ground was participated by numerous social leaders belonging to different ethnic groups of the State.

School children offering floral tribute at the Kekrupat Memorial complex

Speaking on the occasion, Prof N Sanajaoba of the Department of Law, Guwahati University noted that Manipur was not integrated into the Indian Union as a disintegrated State but as a single united State.

As such, all the ethnic groups, irrespective of their religion and caste, should join hands and fight together to restore peace and harmony in Manipur.

Asserting that the martyrs did not sacrifice their precious lives to give any leverage to civil society leaders in their pursuit for leadership but to preserve the integrity of Manipur, Sanajaoba noted that the supreme sacrifice made by the martyrs entailed an underlying message to all the people of Manipur to unite together and protect the integrity of Manipur.

It's time to bury all the hatchets of the past and unite all the people of Manipur by reviving the age old fraternal bond so that the common struggle can be waged under a single banner.

Sanajaoba remarked that it is the responsibility of all the people of Manipur to prevent all the organisations operating in the State from becoming terrorist organisations.

It is crucial to make all these organisations people's bodies for the people, he added.

Reaffirming the pledge of the people not to compromise on the territorial integrity of Manipur at any cost marked the 6th commemorative function organised by UCM at Kekrupat as 'the Great June Uprising, 2001'.Kekrupat, also christened as the Great June Uprising Memorial Complex, is a site where mortal remains of those who laid down their lives for the cause of protecting the territorial integrity of Manipur have been laid to rest/last rites conducted.

Apart from offering floral tributes and homage to the martyrs, other highlights of the commemorative event held under the aegis of UCM included rendition of devotional and patriotic songs, organising blood donation camp, signature campaign for Miyamgee Khollao (Public Voices), a written complaint to be submitted to the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and culminated with a public meeting.

Commencing with signing of Yakairol (invocation), thousands of people from different parts of the State and outside paid their respect to the martyrs from early morning till late afternoon.

The blood donation camp organised as part of the commemorative function was held at the office complex of Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association located near the memorial complex.

A signature campaign for a written complaint aptly titled Miyamgee Khollao to be submitted to the Chief Minister expressing reservation against the interference of the Government in the efforts being made by UCM to develop Kekrupat on one hand and the move of the Government to hand over the site to the Kangla Fort Board was also conducted at the occasion.

In the public meeting held at the memorial complex, UCM president Konsam Langamba; theatre personality Ratan Thiyam; Kuki Inpi Manipur president Haokholun Lungdim; gen secy of Jamiat-Ul-Ulema, Babupara Moulana Sayed Ahamad, AZACO advisor Lanboi Kabui, representative of Hmar National Union Grace Collin, president of Kabui Mothers' Association Kakomlunglu Kamei; HERICOUN president Rev Renghang Chothe; advisor of Kuki Chiefs' Association, Ukhrul Thangkhongam Haokip, former editor of Freedom RK Ranendrajit, representative from Bangladesh Angom Joyjit; secretary of All Assam Manipuri Women Meira Paibis Association G Beni Devi; advisor of Komrem Union JL Killong and former president of UCM graced the dais as presidium members.

Mementos were also presented to the family members of the martyrs at the occasion.

It may be recalled that in all 13 previous lives were lost in the spontaneous public agitation erupted on June 18, 2001 in protest against the extension of the ceasefire 'without territorial limits' signed between the NSCN (I-M) and the Government of India at Bangkok on June 14, 2001.In subsequent related agitations , five other persons also lost their lives besides four more in other related incidents, totalling the number of people who sacrificed their lives for the cause of safeguarding the territorial integrity of Manipur to 22.They were Thokchom Lalit of Yaiskul, B Naocha Sharma of Keishamthong, Nishikanta Yumnam of Khagempalli, Rajen Meitei of Naoremthong, Ksh Romeo of Singjamei Wangma.

K Singhajit of Liwa Lambi, G Dutta Sharma of Konjeng Leikai, S Surchandra of Porompat, Th Wilson of Nongmeibung, Thoudam Guneshore of Khoijuman, K Kameshore of Khurai, Ksh Jiban of Khurai, M Manikanta of Awang Sekmai, Okram Ramananda of Langathel, L Rajkumar of Uripok, L Thamphasana of Kwakeithel, Th Birendro of Chingamakha, Ch Bharat of Awang Khunou, Md Jama Uddin of Yairipok, Md Nawaz Khan of Yairipok.

Wahengbam Devdutta of Langmeidong and Amom Rakesh of Elangkhangpokpi.

Addressing the gathering at the THAU ground function, social worker Tampao Haokip said the people of Manipur should give up the misplaced notion that the State is on the verge of disintegration.

Rather they should come together and present a united force.

Dongmei Tomba Kabui noted that unification of the ethnic groups of the State should begin with social and community leaders by joining their hands sincerely.

Tomba Kabui observed that it would go a long way in bringing unity and peace in the State for each ethnic group to understand and respect the customs and traditions of other groups.

Advisor of the Islamic Development Council Moulavi Abdul Kalam Azad remarked that most of the leaders of the State do not have the basic calibre and vision of being a public leader.

For all the malaise and maladies besetting Manipur, the one and only cure is mutual love and respect, he asserted.

AMUCO advisor Th Iboyaima emphasised on the greater responsibility of the Meiteis for being the majority community towards soothing and reconciling any case of estranged relations and crisis among the indigenous people of the State as and when such situation arises in any corner of Manipur, whether it be in hill districts or valley.

Reposing faith in the people of Manipur that they will welcome any peace and unity campaign, Iboyaima corroborated that the enthusiastic participation of people in the AMUCO's UNIDEP Campaign was a clear testimony to people's positive attitude towards peace campaign.

Welcoming the gesture of the UCM towards unification, Iboyaima hailed the UCM.

During the Unity Day observance today, a journal titled 'Manipuri People Cry for Unity' published by the National Research Centre, Manipur and compiled by Gunachandra Kakchingtabam from the newspaper stories on the events of June 18 was also released by social worker Th Iboyaima.

Homage were also reportedly paid to the martyrs of June 18 revolt during commemorative functions at different parts including outside Manipur today.

Ucheckon Youths' Welfare Club, Kongba Ucheckon organised the 6th The Great June Uprising Day at Moriba Community Hall along with cultural programmes and paying of floral tributes to the martyrs.

Rashtriya Janata Dal, Manipur observed two minutes silence as mark of respect to the departed souls and re-affirmed its stand on the territorial integrity of Manipur during a commemorative function held at its office.

On the other hand, All Jiribam United Clubs' Association observed the day as Unity Day at Jiri Town Hall along with Lecturer of Jiri College Ch Komol, president of AJUCA O Mangi and Th Thoinu Devi as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively, reports our correspondent.

IRB and MR personnel from Manipur who are undergoing training at Assam Police Training Centre, Jirigaon, Golaghat also reportedly organised a function and pay their respect to the martyrs of June 18 agitation, according to information received here.