Imphal, June 17: Even if commemorative functions are being organised every year to pay homage to the 18 martyrs who laid down their lives for the cause of safeguarding the territorial integrity of Manipur during the June 18 uprising of 2001, no one seems to understand the sorrow and difficulties of the surviving family members who are being constantly haunted by the memory of the lost loved ones.

Reminiscing about the happy moments of life while her husband was alive, Phalguni, wife of late Laitonjam Rajkumar, said 'Whether my husband was bad or good, no one had the courage to look down at me while he was alive.

But after his death, there is no one to stand up beside me'.

The pang of separation from her husband and societal attitude towards a young widow like Phalguni would be known only by those who suffer the same fate like hers.

Phalguni said life was very peaceful while her husband was alive with all the members of her in-laws family treating her well.

' But soon after the death of my husband, they tried to expel me and my son from the house even before the Shradha ceremony of my deceased husband was performed fearing that the responsibility of looking after me and child would fall into their hands..' 'As my husband used to love Tan (Roti) very much, I had wanted to offer the same on his Shradha.

But no one listened to me' Phalguni recalled.

Despite the mental trauma that she had undergone, Phalguni is today fortunate enough in getting a job as a Junior Assistant in MU and she has been trying her best to give the best education to her child to become an Engineer.

'The respect that I got from my compatriots as a wife of a martyr is something that I would always cherish and feel proud of', she added.

However, not everyone is lucky like Phalguni.

Among other surviving family members of those killed in the June 18 uprising, the fate of Shanti, what can be said about the wife of Kshetrimayum Romeo, and her girl child Goldi who was left behind by her father when she was only 6 months old ? With no means of supporting the family, Shanti continues to live worrying what the future stores for her and her child.

The tears of many parents of those martyred whom they have been brought up with great expectation asre also yet to dry .

Though the Great June Uprising occurred six years back, many of the heartbroken parents still feel the pang of separation from their beloved children every day.

Thingom Ibobi, brokenhearted father of late Thingom Birendro of Singjamei Chinga Makha Irom Leirak, said after the death of her son all his hopes have been shattered.

'I feel as if it was only yesterday that he passed away and I always feel the loss of my son.

But on looking back, I realised it is already six years now', he said in a sad tone, adding 'Many of his friends have finished their MA degree'.

Echoing the same sentiment, mother of late Thokchom Lalit of Yaiskul Janmasthan said ' I always remember the last time he hug me.

I brought him up with great love and affection and he was the pupil of my eyes.

But he passed away so suddenly as if hands of the Mighty God snatched him away from his mother's lap'.

Over and above this, who is going to fill up the vacuum left in the family of advocate Nishikanta of Elangbam Leikai after he fell to the bullets of the security forces while trying to save Bachaspatimayum Naocha of the same locality.

Nishikanta was the only responsible man in the family and he had gone out to purchase medicine for his ailing father when he met his end.

On the other hand, the joy of living seems to have been taken away from the life of Soroikhaibam Ongbi Sobita after she has been rendered physically handicapped for life in the incident.

Sobita was hit by bullet on one of her legs and later it was amputated.

Even if she had been lauded for her courage and given honour by the people, being a woman she has been encountering lot of difficulties in her life with lack of support and care from her husband.

She said, 'While strong and healthy, I don't need to depend on anybody.

But after becoming a handicapped, money alone cannot do anything, human love is essential'.

Yet, inspite of the hardship being faced, Sobita is proud of the fact that she had done atleast something for her motherland and felt gratitude to all those organisations which have supported her in times of need.

Family members of the martyrs, however, one complaint against the Government its negligence attitude to plights of the surviving family members.

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