Rich tributes paid to martyrs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 13 2025: A large number of people today ascended Cheiraoching, Thangmeiband and paid rich tributes to the martyrs at the Manipur Martyrs' Complex, located atop the hill.

As in the previous years, Martyrs' Day or Athoubasingi Numit was observed today at Cheiraoching.

Starting from 6 am, long lines of people carrying flowers and candles were seen ascending the hill.

People belonging to different communities paid homage and rich tributes to both known and unknown martyrs as well as at the busts of Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal General, Paona Brajabashi and Hijam Irabot which surround the stone inscription "Dedicated to the unknown soldiers, the stars of Manipur who laid down their lives for the motherland" .

Rich tributes paid to martyrs

The memorial function started with presentation of Yaikairol and patriotic songs by popular singers of the State.

Led by Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur president S Memcha, family members of the martyrs who died in the battle of Kodompokpi first started offering floral tributes to the martyrs.

The memorial function was also participated by representatives and volunteers of many clubs, organisations, CSOs, Meira Paibi groups and student bodies where students of Huiyen Lallong Thang-Ta presented a Thang-Ta performance.

Taragi Cheishu members led by its chairman Advocate Khaidem Mani, Film Forum Manipur members led by its president Laimayum Surjakanta and many senior citizens too paid homage and rich tributes to the martyrs.

Many Kabui men and women led by Kabui Union functionaries performed Yupan Thaba ritual, conducted prayer and paid homage to the martyrs.

People belonging to different communities including Meitei Pangal and Kom too conducted prayer sessions and paid floral tributes at the martyrs' memorial.

Earlier a petition was filed at the High Court of Manipur seeking permission for offering floral tributes to the martyrs at Cheiraoching.

After considering the petition, a single bench of Justice Guneshore passed an order which gave permission for offering floral tributes to the martyrs from 6 am to 5 pm today.

On the other hand, security forces took up tight security measures to avert any unwanted situation because of the martyrs' memorial function.

A large number of security personnel belonging to Manipur Police, Manipur Rifles, IRB and CRPF were seen lined up from the foot to the summit of Cheiraoching.

At first, a police team first noted down names of all the people who came to join the Martyrs' Day observation in a register.

However, as the number of people grew, police stopped registering the names of the visitors.

Nonetheless, people who came to pay homage and tributes to the martyrs wrote down their names in the register voluntarily.

Initially, vehicles were allowed to go up to the Manipur Martyrs' Complex but later police asked people to keep their vehicles at the base of the hill and climb the hill (on foot) as the number of visitors swelled.

Waves after waves of people came to martyrs' memorial from different parts of the State till 4 pm .

Volunteers of Red Cross Society, Manipur State branch and Voluntary Health Unit Committee assisted the visitors by distributing drinking water.

Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur president S Memcha said that she felt privileged on paying floral tributes to the martyrs.

She called upon all the people to unite and work together to build a united Kangleipak (Manipur) by treading on the path chosen by the martyrs.

Khundrakpam ongbi Medha, sister-in-law of Khundrakpam Rajen alias Chaoban of Kwakeithel Moirangpurel who was killed in the battle of Kodompokpi on April 13, 1982, said "We need to follow the path chosen by the martyrs and work collectively to save Manipur" .

She said that she felt gratified on seeing people from different communities coming to Cheiraoching and offering tribute to the martyrs.

From Cheiraoching, families of the martyrs who laid down their lives at the battle of Kodompokpi went to Kodompokpi and Tek-cham, and paid floral tributes to the martyrs.