Imphal, April 13 2009: The proscribed RPF has extended its heartfelt gratitude to all those who braved the hot Sun as well as the obstacles put up by the Police Commandos to pay their respect at the memorial site at Cheiraoching on Martyrs' Day today.

In a statement, publicity secretary of the outfit, T Leisemba said that in any confrontation between two adversaries, it is universally accepted that one can be killed while fighting, but in Manipur, the Government of India has side stepped this universal law and has instead imposed a number of black laws under which the people have been suffering under the security personnel as well as the police commandos.

Under the black laws people are killed with impunity in fake encounters, killed in custody, while the modesty of many women have outraged.

Properties and assets of many have been looted and destroyed, said RPF and added that no country in the world upholds such acts of State terrorism.

The stooge of the Government of India should immediately stop this, it added.

Even though one may be an enemy, it is the universal practise to respect the lifeless bodies of a slain adversary.

Countries across the world pay due respect to memorial sites, cemeteries and burial grounds of the enemies, said RPF.

However in Manipur, police commandos are hell bent on circumventing this universally accepted practices, said the outfit and added that they have been repeatedly desecrating the memorial sites of the martyrs at Cheiraoching.

Despite the obstacles and harassments given by the police commandos to those who turn out to pay their respect, the mourners have always managed to break through the security cordon and pay their respect, said RPF acknowledging the immense sacrifice of the people.

All those who turned up were also forced to pay their respect only individually, it added.

The last large turn out despite the obstacles, is a sure indicator that the RPF is on the right path and enjoys the support of the people, it said and added that this will enable the outfit to one day unfurl the flag of Manipur on her soil.

The fact that the Manipur Government and the Police Department have been resisting and discouraging the family members, friends and sympathisers to pay their respect to at the memorial site, despite the order of the Gauhati High Court is a clear indication that the Government and the police do not respect their own laws.

Doffings its hat to the young students, the matured adults, the elders of society, as well as the young and brave women who turned out in large number to pay their respect, the outfit said that this response has given them new strength to carry on the struggle.

One day the security personnel as well as the police commandos will taste defeat, said RPF and prayed that the sweet smell of the flowers and fruits brought by the people to be offered at the memorial site sweep all the stink of the land.

Likewise, the outfit prayed that the lamps lit at the gate may serve as the guiding light for the people to the future.

The RPF also thanked the medical teams-doctors and nurses, water supply, those who helped with Samiana and karnat, print and electronic media, electricity, transport, club, meira paibi, AMWJU, AMBA, HCBA etc.