Triple death at Thabal venue; Heirok remembers her lost daughters, son
Source: The Sangai Express

The first death anniversary of the three persons who were killed in the firing incident at a Thabal Chongba venue in Heirok on March 24 last year was observed at the memorial site of the victims at Laikon in Heirok Part-I as Mangal Piba Numit (Day of Enlightenment) today.

The observance function of the death anniversary was organised by the Memorial Trust instituted in remembrance of Th Romesh, Th Premila and L Nirmala who were killed in the firing incident.

Along with commencement on construction of a community hall, memorial sites of the three victims have been set up at the place.

Apart from family members of the three victims and other people of Heirok village, MLA of Heirok A/C and Adhyaksha of Thoubal Zilla Parishad also participated in the observance function and offered rich floral tributes at the memorial sites of the three victims.

Significantly, since the day of the firing incident last year, people of Heirok, who have been staying away from organising any sort of entertainment programmes or festivities, completed one year of mourning yesterday.

They also did not celebrate the five-day long Yaoshang festival this year to pay respect to the departed souls.

Marking the end of the mourning period, a performance of the popular Shumang Leela play was staged at the occasion of the first death anniversary today.

A large number of people gathered at Laikon Lampak to enjoy the Shumang Leela.

Talking to mediapersons on the sideline of the first death anniversary observance function today, president of the Memorial Trust Thokchom Ranjan informed that as the unfortunate incident of killing at the venue of Thabal Chongba on the night of March 24 last year and other violent activities that took place in Heirok had taken place during night time, restriction on organising entertainment programmes in Heirok area during night time would remain.

The death anniversary of the three victims would also be observed every year as the Mangal Piba Numit (Day of Enlightenment) as a message to all concerned that the people of Heirok would never accept undue suppression and harassment, Ranjan said.

''Its true that people of Heirok would not be able to fight against all the armed UG groups, but they would definitely challenge every act of terrorism'', Ranjan observed, adding that everyone should understand how the incident had taken place and why the Heirok people revolted against it.

He also appealed for lifting of the restriction being imposed on the people of Heirok by some armed UG groups.

Furthermore, while informing that no regular teachers have been appointed at Heirok Government High School after being upgraded to Higher Secondary and the construction of two out of five proposed barracks of the SPOs are yet to be begin, Ranjan also drew the attention of the State Government for taking up necessary measures in this regard at the earliest possible.

At the occasion of the first death anniversary observance today, gift was also presented from the side of the SPOs to Wareppam Rebika who has been blinded in the same firing incident.

The gift was handed over to Rebika by the post commander of SPO Heirok.

Addressing the gathering, Rebika prayed that the last year's firing incident that led to lost of three precious lives as well as her sight may be the last.