Tarpan offered to martyrs
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal / Imphal, September 20 2013 : "Paying floral tributes and eulogising their deeds is not enough, we must follow their footsteps and work in line with their aspirations, dreams and ideals.

Only then, we would be paying the homage deserved by our forefathers who sacrificed their lives for the cause of the nation", stated Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam.

Gaikhangam was speaking at the 20th Khongjom Heisoi Katpa function held at Khongjom under the aegis of the Khongjom War Memorial Trust today in memory of the heroes and martyrs of the Anglo-Manipur War 1891 .

On the otherhand, United Committee Mani-pur (UCM) marked the fortnight long obser- vance of Tarpan Katpa by paying obeisance to those martyred in the June 2001 people's movement at the Kekrupat memorial complex.

Among others, Agriculture Minister Md Abdul Nasir, MLAs T Mangibabu, Sanasam Bir, Y Surchandra and Khongjom War Memorial Trust chairman Hemanta were present at the Khongjom function.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam offerring Tarpon at Khongjhom

Hundreds of people including school students from different parts of Manipur of- fered Langban Heisoi at Khongjom river and the statue of Paona Brajabashi.

Since 1994, the ritual of offering Langban Heisoi (Tarpan) to the heroes and martyrs of the Anglo-Manipur War 1891 has been going uninterrupted every year.

Speaking at the occasion, Gaikhangam stated that the lofty ideals and principles held dear by the heroes of Khongjom War should be upheld by the present generation.

Even after knowing well that they stood no chance of winning the war, Manipuri sol-diers fought valiantly against the invading British forces in order to protect the territorial integrity of the land.

Victory is not all about winning over an opponent by means of a weapon.

It is more about knowing and discharging one's duties satisfactorily whether he/she is an MLA or a Minister, Gaikhangam asserted.

As a part of the function, many singers of the State presented a number of patriotic songs.

People offering Langban Heitha Leitha to martyrs at Kekrupat under the aegis of United Committee Manipur

Observing the customary event of the Meitei community as 'Langban Tha Heitha-Leithaba' at Kekrupat, UCM volunteers also planted Kekru tree sapling around the memorial complex.

According to UCM vice president Chandramani Khumancha 'Langban Tha Heitha-Leithaba' is a humble gesture from the UCM for the supreme sacrifice made by the 18 martyrs during the people's movement for protecting Manipur's emotional and territorial integrity.

Conveying appreciation for the participation of the martyrs' family members in today's solemn event and stating that sacrifices made by the 18 individuals continue to inspire UCM to face any threat posed to the territorial integrity of Manipur, Chandramani also criticised the Myanmar authorities for erecting the boundary fencing by encroaching on Manipur's territory.

Demanding that the boundary fencing work be stopped immediately for upholding status quo along the Indo-Myanmar border, he cautioned that decision taken at a recent seminar of civil society organisations to launch agitation on the border fencing issue remains unchanged.

The vice president further confided that process is underway to submit a memorandum demanding white paper on the issue from the Central Government as well as highlight the seminar's resolution to launch mass movement in case the land dispute is not settled at the earliest possible.