Many pay homage at memorial site

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Apr 13 :  Family members and well-wishers of nine PLA cadres killed during the Kodompokpi gun-battle with security forces on April 13, 1982 turned up today at Thangmeiband Cheiraoching and paid homage in their memory.
The gathering began offering floral tributes to the statues of Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal General, Lamyanba Irabot, Paona Brajabashi and the memorial of the nine PLA cadres from 6 am onwards and continued till 4 pm.
At the site, the Red Cross Society opened a camp to attend to people who need medical attention while the State police stood guard at the bottom and top of Cheiraoching.
Speaking to media persons, family members of the slain cadres thanked the State Government and High Court of Manipur for allowing them to perform the event and the Red Cross Society for setting up the medical camp.
They also thanked all the well wishers which include students and CSO representatives for turning up and offering their tributes and appealed to all to light a candle at their respective gate in honour of the slain cadres in the evening.
Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur president L Memchoubi said that she was elated to take part in the ceremony organised in honour of the nine cadres and other patriots who gave up their lives for the motherland.
She also stated that Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur has been demanding the repeal of AFSPA under which security personnel killed and harassed the innocent since 1980. It is a matter of pride that many people from both hills and valley districts came to the memorial site and paid their homage, she said.
Lauding the State Government for allowing the people to offer their tributes at Cheiraoching peacefully, Memchoubi stated that the same programme was also held in different places including Moreh and Jiribam.
It may be mentioned that the nine PLA cadres were killed  during a shoot-out at Kodompokpi on April 13, 1982 and they are Thoudam Kunjabihari from Thongju Nameirakpam Leikai; Khundrakpam Rajendra from Kwakeithel; M Premkumar from Tera Sapam Leirak; N Rajen Meetei from Kakwa Naorem Leikai; Th Loken from Kakwa Nameirakpam Leikai; L Dilip from Keishampat; M Paka  from  Heirok; S Kameshore from Heibongpokpi and RK Khoirumba from Moreh.