Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 25:
Luplakpa of Longa Koireng Village Y Khelkhup Koireng passed away after a brief illness at his residence at around midnight of October 23.He was 77 years and is survived by 10 daughters and 2 sons.
Khelkhup was born in Longa Koireng in 1930 when his uncle was still the first Luplakpa of the new village.
Afterward his father became the longest serving Luplakpa of the village at a very young age in the early 40s.Late Khelkhup succeeded hi father as Luplakpa of the village i 1998 in a grant function attended by titular King of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba Singh.
A year later, he celebrated the festival called Salukangdel (Chong Hongba, inauguration of a large umbrella of Parasol type) as a symbol of royalty of the community.
In 2000, Khongthak (Pung Hongba), a festival running for five days to inaugurate a new set of wooden drums) was lastly celebrated as part of fulfilment of the last customary bindings of the community.
The clan to which late Khelkhup belongs is Ningthouja (Yeite in Koireng).
The family is known for celebrating a number of festivals out of generosity.
During the burial ceremony which was held yesterday, a rare dance by men holding spears was performed around the parasol erected at his courtyard.
Longa Koireng Village Authority has expressed its grief over the untimely demise of the Luplakpa describing his death as a great lost to the village.
The departed soul would be remembered for the rapport h had with every chief and leader, be it from the valley or the hills, secretary of Longa Koireng Village Authority R Rangsochun Koireng said in a statement.