Imphal, August 18: The banned Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) observed 'Athoubasingi Numit' today in remembrance of its cadres who laid down their lives in the struggle to regain lost sovereignty.

Apart from the observance held at the general headquarters, base camp, zonal and units of the armed organisation, people paid obituary at the Kha-Potsangbam memorial site where floral tributes were paid.

KYKL observes August 18 as 'Athoubasingi Numit' in remembrance of its three cadres who claimed their own lives after being cornered by a combined security team of State and Central forces on this day in 1993 at a Kha-Potsangbam paddy field.

The KYKL trio are Cpl Thounaojam Brojen alias Lakpa of Lamding Cherapur Wangjing, Pvt Salam Ito alias Danger and Pvt Ningthoujam Basanta of Kha-Potsangbam.

The KYKL in a statement released on the occasion re-called that the three were resting at a thatched hut in the paddy field when the security forces zeroed in from various directions and rained bullets.

As Ito and Basanta futilely tried to evacuate an injured Lakpa they ran into a section of the security team and had to retreat momentarily before being called out by the combined force to surrender.

Rather than surrender to adversary forces the three cadres decided to take their own lives, said the statement issued by deputy secretary of the KYKL's publicity and research Apabi Mangang.

Construing that Lakpa, Ito and Basanta deemed it fit to die instead of giving in to the adversaries where they would have undergone excruciating pain in the security forces' attempt to extract vital information regarding the armed organisation and its movement, Apabi further affirmed that sacrifices made by the three had only illuminated the path to ceaselessly pursue the struggle.

Conveying gratitude to all who showed solidarity in the observation in addition to participating in paying floral tribute at the memorial site, the KYKL further sought all possible cooperation from masses.

At the Kha-Potsangbam memorial site, security force personnel allowed only family members of the three slain cadres to pay their obeisances till mid-day even though several people gathered at near the site to pay their respect to the departed souls.

However, after about 1 pm all those who came to attend the memorial service were allowed to enter the site.

Those heading to the memorial site from Imphal side in buses were stopped at Bishnupur bazar.

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