Source: Hueiyen News Service
Maram Khullen, August 28 2010:
With traditional ritual ceremonies,the last rites of the last Maram Naga queen Apei Hinga Karangnamei was carried out here at this picturesque and historic Maram hamlet,around 86 km north of Imphal in Manipur's Senapati district on Saturday.
The funeral rites accompanied by traditional ceremonies was held with the active participation of Maram Students Union volunteers at the courtyard of the queen in presence of local MLA K Raina along with leaders of Naga frontal organizations including United Naga Council Manipur, Naga Womens Union Manipur (NWUM),All Naga Students Association Manipur, Maram Union.
Expressing his condolences MLA Raina said that the sudden expiry of the queen is a great loss not only for the Marams but for the whole state.
With the passing away of the queen, her only son K Namba will succeed his mother as Maram king as per traditions of the tribe.Maram queen Apei Hinga passed away at her birth place at Maram Khullen village at 2pm on Friday afternoon.The 86 year-old Maram queen had been struggling with problems related to the heart and lungs since the first week of August.
Known for her justice and her role as a peace loving mother, NWUM had conferred the title Best Mother in 2006 on her.
Pioneer Health Club Manipur with its office at Khurai Tinsid Road, Imphal had awarded a citation to the queen on the International Day of Older Persons in October 2009 .
The United NGO Mission Manipur Womens Committee's Convenor Jayanti Keishing has condoled both the deaths of the Maram queen and C Kipgen,a retired lady IAS officer.
She said,the void left by the sad demises will be hard to fill and we stand by their families in this time of sorrow."In the deaths of these two women,we have lost two of the most important women in the history of the state".