Fitting homage paid at memorial sites
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 13: With the Government not clamping any restrictions on the family members and friends from paying tributes at the memorial sites of slain PLA cadres at Cheiraoching, a large number of people today turned out to pay tributes at the memorial sites from early morning.

Security was beefed up and the family members and friends paid their tributes amid a sea of IRB, MR and police personnel.

As per the order issued by the District Magistrate of Imphal West yesterday, the people were not allowed to drive up all the way to the memorial sites.

The aged and weak were seen being lifted and carried up the hillock to pay their tributes.

On the other hand, a large number of family members and friends who had turned out to pay their tributes at Kodompokpi where the PLA cadres were slain on April 13, 1982 were stopped by the security personnel from doing so.

A combined team of Bishnupur police commandos and 22 Maratha Light Infantry turned away the people from Kodompokpi telling them they have not received any instructions from the Government to allow them to pay their tributes there.

They were instead advised to proceed to Cheiraoching.

A large number of people turning out to pay fitting tributes at the memorial sites of the slain PLA cadres at Cheiraoching.

Some of the sites at Kodompokpi were found dismantled. At Tekcham a large number of people paid tributes at Tekcham Khunou in Thoubal district where seven PLA cadres were gunned down on July 6, 1981.Meanwhile, the Families' Committee for Observation of 13 April in a statement today said that the huge turn out of people this year was unprecedented.

Recalling that the observation has been held since 1990, the Committee said that in a major departure from earlier years, this time there was no restriction and no excesses from the Government agencies.

Maybe the Government realised that their earlier action was wrong and hence decided to let the family members pay their tributes without any restrictions, it added.

The Committee also expressed its gratitude to the Home Department which is in charge of all the State security agencies for letting them pay their tributes without any disturbances.

The Committee also acknowledged the people who braved the scorching heat to pay tributes as well to all others who extended their cooperation by suspending their daily activities today.

For transporting the people from their places of residence to the memorial sites, the Committee also thanked the transporters, drivers, second drivers and transport owners agency.

The media was also thanked for keeping the people informed about the April 13 observation.

Donors and all those who voluntarily extend financial help were also profusely thanked by the Committee who said it was indebted to them.