Tourney dedicated to native CRPF braveheart begins
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 04 2023:
The 13th Shaheed Man-oranjan Singh Memorial Football Tournament 2022-2023 got underway at SAI Sports Complex, Takyel with the Water Resource minister Awangbow Newmai inaugurating the tournament amid a colourful ceremony on Saturday.
Manipur and Nagaland Sector CRPF has been organising the tournament since 2010 in the memory of assistant commandant Ng Manoranjan Singh, a native of Yurembam Makha Leikai, the only son of Budhachandra and Memcha, who sacrificed his life while fighting the Naxalites in Chhattisgarh.
Manoranjan, during his posting in 201 CoBRA Bn, was deputed to launch an operation against the Maoists in Singhanmadgu village under Chintagufa police station at Dantewada dis trict of Chhattisgarh on September 17, 2009 .
He raided a weapon factory run by the Maoists and neutralised a Maoist camp.
Huge cache of arms was recovered from the site.
The troops dismantled the weapon factory and the training camp established along with the factory and while withdrawing, the Maoists who had been waiting in an ambush opened indiscriminate fire on the security forces and tried to encircle the troops.
Commander Manoranjan divided his team into three and launched counter attack.
A fierce gun battle ensued and the Maoists had to flee from the area.
Six CRPF personnel including Shaheed Ng Manoranjan Singh sacrificed their lives while fighting.
Considering his unmatched bravery, undeterred determination, exceptional leadership and conspicuous gallant action, the officer was awarded Police Medal for Gallantry (posthumously).
Awangbow, during the event offered tribute to the Shaheed officer and presented a shawl to Ng Memcha, the mother of Manoranjan.
He also praised the CRPF for organising the tournament in the memory of the local martyr and urged the local youth to come forward and become responsible citizens.
On the occasion, IGP M&N Sector CRPF Sandeep Datta delivered the welcome address and gave an insight on the bravery of Shaheed Manoranjan while Imphal Range CRPF DIG Ravin-dra Singh Rautela pronounced votes of thanks including the sponsors for supporting CRPF in organising the tournament.
The opening ceremony was also attended by Manoranjan's mother Memcha, Saikot MLA Paolienlal Haokip, Classic Group managing director Dr Th Dhabli Singh, Vintel Infracom director Vincent Nameirakpam, Sangai Hotel president W Vikram, senior police officers, senior CRPF officers, other dignitaries, media persons, youth and children of local area.
A total of 24 top teams of state are participating in the tournament this year, making it one of the most sought after tournaments in the state.
The tournament is organised to honour Shaheed Manoranjan Singh, keep his spirit alive and to motivate the youth to come forward and become responsible citizens.