Shaheed Manoranjan Singh Football Tournament : A brief history

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A game during 5th Shaheed Manoranjan Memorial CRPF Football Tournament on November 27 2014 :: Pix - TSE

Late Shri Manoranjan Singh son of Shri (Late) Ng. Budhachandra Singh and Mrs. Ng. (O) Memcha Devi was born on 1st April 1979 at Yurembam Makha Leikai in Imphal West district.

He passed class X from Johnstone Higher Secondary School, Imphal in the year 1995 and Class XII from Recent Higher Secondary School, Imphal in the year 1997. He graduated as Bachelor of Science in the year 2003 from DAV PG College, Dehradun (HNB Garwal University) in the year 2003.

During his school and college days, he was actively involved with the NCC and held NCC ‘B’ certificate. He joined CRPF as a Directly Appointed Gazetted Officer of the 38th batch during the year 2007. During his basic training, he was best known as ‘RUNNING FREAK’ amongst his batchmates (DAGOS 38th Batch).

He had inborn inclination towards adventure and challenges. His physical Training Instructor-Kopeshwar hailing also from Manipur remembers him as a young hard working, honest teetotaller and a non-smoker who would make us stand tall one day and remain in our hearts for all times to come.

After his basic training, Late Shri Manoranjan Singh joined the elite 201 COBRA Battalion deployed in Chhattisgarh engaged in combating Naxalites.

On 17/09/2009 Late Shri Manoranjan Singh made the supreme sacrifice during a special operation along with Late Shri Rakesh Chaurasia Asstt Comdt, his batchmate and colleague and six jawans near Singanmadugu village under PS-Chintagufa, Dantewada district in Chhatisgarh.

On the 17th of September 2009, troops of 201 COBRA Bn launched an operation against Maoists at village Singhanmadgu, PS-Chintagufa, Distt. Dantewada.

During the operation, troops raided a weapon factory run by the Maoists and neutralized one maoist camp.

Seven muzzle loaded guns, one .303 rifle, two country made guns, thirteen barrels of guns and other incriminating articles were recovered from the site.

After dismantling the factory and a training camp established alongwith the factory, the troops planned their withdrawal. As the troops were withdrawing, the Maoists were waiting for an ambush. They opened indiscriminate firing at the troops. The Maoists then tried to encircle the troops.

Observing the movement of Maoists, the commander divided its team into three and launched the counter-attack.

A fierce gun battle in the dense jungle took place which resulted loss on both sides. The concerted effort and valour of brave troops forced the Maoists to flee from the area.

In this battle six brave officers and men, including Shaheed Shri Ng Manoranjan Singh sacrificed their lives while fighting bravely.

Considering his unmatched bravery, undeterred determination and unparallel devotion and conspicuous gallant action the above officer was awarded Police Medal for Gallantry (Posthumously).

To honour the brave son, (Late) Shri Manoranjan Singh and to keep his memory alive, the Shaheed Manoranjan Singh Memorial State Open Football Tournament is being organized which will be an every year affair.

The first edition was held on 5th September 2010 at Langjing Achouba Football Ground, Imphal.

This year the sixth edition is being held at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium from 28th Jan to 3rd Feb 2016.