Students' Matyrdom observed
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 16 2013 : To recall the supreme sacrifice made in 2004 by Pebam Chittaranjan Mangang, who made himself a 'human torch' in protest against Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) observed the 9th Students' Martyrdom with taking out mass rally and public meeting today.

Making himself as a 'human torch', Pebam Chittaranjan immolated himself on 15th of August, 2004 at Bishnupur Bazar in protest against Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 while the rest of the country was celebrating India's Independence Day.

He succumbed to his injuries on the next day, i.e.16th of August 2004.Since then, MSF has been observing this day as Students' Matyrdom every year.

The main observance function of the 9th Students' martyrdom was organized at THAU Ground, Thangmeiband after hundreds of students from different schools who took out a mass rally from the Sega Road Takhellambam Leikai residence of Chittaranjan converged.

A mass rally taken out to mark the 9th Students' Martyrdom

Speaking as one of the Guests of Honour of the function, All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) President Wangkhemcha Samjai stated that we should unite as a single body to raise our voice against AFSPA.

Only then India Government and State Government will hear our voice.

"Why are the elected representatives of the people in Manipur happily accepting imposition of this draconian Act? Why are they not raising a single voice against this Act to the Central govt.?", he questioned.

He also exhorted the student community to be ready for laying down their lives for their motherland.

President of All Manipur Bar Association Advocate Khaidem Mani, who was also present and spoke as one of the Guests of Honour, termed AFSPA as the 'blackest of all black laws of the world' .

He recalled the gathering how Chittaranjan gave his life in protest against the Act and said that we should be proud enough to work for the welfare of the society.

Presided over by Longjam Umakanta Meetei, who is the President of Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) and Convener of Joint Students' Coordination Committee, the observance function was also attended by Dean of Students' Welfare, Manipur University Prof.R.K Hemakumar as Chief Guest and President of All Manipur United Clubs' Organization (AMUCO) Dr..YMani Khuman as Guest of Honour.

Social scientist Dr.Dhanabir Laishram, President of Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibee Apunba Lup Ima Lingjam Memchoubi and Convener of Apunba Lup Manipur Phulindro Konsam were also among those who spoke on the occasion attended by members of various civil societies, student organizations, parent bodies and scholars.

As part of the observance function, a blood donation programme was also organized by MSF at the Health and Fitness Centre of THAU.

To mark the occasion, MSF in association with the family members of Chittaranjan, also hosted a free dinner for the inmates of Punya Home, Centre for Girls at Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai.

Thirty T-shirts and other gifts were also presented.