Imphal, June 20: The last rites of the thirteen victims of the CRPF�s firing on the angry protesters opposing the extension of Naga ceasefire to areas of Manipur on Monday last were performed amidst tight security at Kekrupat near Minuthong here this afternoon.

Only ten members of each family of the deceased and some leaders of the AMSU and the AMUCO were allowed to attend the mass funeral.

The pressmen who went to cover the cremation ground and taking photographs of the funeral were prevented as the state administration feared it might flare up the already charged atmosphere and fuel resentment among the people.

Rings of security surrounded the area and all roads leading to the cremation ground were blocked.

Media persons managed to climb tall buildings from afar to view and photographs, if possible of the cremation.

The thirteen dead bodies identified as ex-president of AMSU and Advocate Yumnam Nishikanta(45) of Khagempalli Panthak, Bachaspatimayum Naocha(26) of Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai, Konsam Kameshwar(40) of Khurai Konsam Leikai, M Manikanta(15) of Khurai Heikru Makhong, A Rajen(27) of Kumbi Tera Khong, Thoudam Guneshwar(20) of Khoijuman Mamang Leikai, Ksh.

Jiban(17) of Khurai Konsam Leikai.

Th.Abu(18) of Nongmeibung Chuthek, K.Lalit(17) of Yaiskul Janmasthan, Khoisnam Singhajit(19) of Singjamei Makha Maibam Leikai, Sh Surchandra (19) of Ayangpalli, Ksh Romeo(15) of Singjamei Wangma Kshetri Leikai and Gurumayum Dutta(17) of Kwakeithel Konjeng Makha Leikai were brought from the RIMS Morgue where psot mortem has been conducted.

Thirteen different pyres were made, and the bodies of the 13 martyrs were consigned to flames.

It is an established custom of the Meiteis that when a person dies, all the relatives, neighbours and well wishers mourn his/her death and would take part in the funeral.

But the decision of the authority to perform the funeral rites of the thirteen persons where only 10 members of each of the aggrieved families were permitted shows lack of concern of the part of the authority for the custom of the society, observers criticized.

Meanwhile, condemnation of the CRPF�s firing and the condolence of the �thirteen martyrs� are pouring in from inside and outside the state.

The Manipur State Council/Communist Party of India(MSC/CPI), the Manipur University Students� Union (MUSU), the All India Students� Federation/Manipur State Council, and the All Manipur Nupi Marup, Thoubal Area Council have strongly condemned the firing incident and expressed deep sorrow over the death of the thirteen innocent person.

Describing the day as �Bloody Monday�, the NGOs also demanded judicial inquiry into the incident and punish the CRPF personnel involved in the killing.

Other organizations condemning the firing incident are the All Manipur Young Pioneers� Organizations, Khangabok sector, Youth Development Club cum Mini Library, Kwakeithel Laishram Leikai; Moirang Hanuba Youth Development Club, Sagolband; Kongpal Social Development Organization; Imphal East District Clubs Union; the Hodam Lairembi Club; the Eastern Educational Club, Khurai Ahongei; School of Nursing, Khangabok and the Manipur Students� Association, Chandigarh.

They also express their solidarity with the people of the state in their movement against the extension of Naga ceasefire to Manipur.

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