Imphal, July 18: The whole State rose up as one and paid homage by the thousands to the fourteen persons who laid down their lives in the June 18 uprising and one meira paibi activist who was killed in an anti-cease fire rally on July 5 today.

Thousands lined up at Kekrupat where the 15 martyrs were cremated to pay their respect and offered floral tributes to the 15 person for their extreme sacrifice to protect the territorial integrity of the State.

Dharnas and sit-in-protest held across the valley districts put up photos of the fifteen martyrs as a mark of respect and people came by the droves at the protests sites and paid their respects to the martyrs.

Perhaps the most striking tribute was carried out by a 70 year old man who severed his left thumb and placed it atop the site of one of the martyrs at Kekrupat.

The elderly man also placed the knife at the cremation site as a mark of respect and to symbolize the extreme sacrifice of the martyrs.

The 70 year old man is identified as Maibam Manimacha of Sagolband Moirang Leirak.

He was part of the Joint Action Committee team compromising of different clubs, organizations and meira paibi lups of Sagolband areas, which had gone to Kekrupat to pay obeisance to the 15 martyrs.

Speaking to newsmen at RIMS hospital, Manimacha said what he had done pales into comparison with the sacrifices of the 15 martyrs and added that he is ready to lay down his life to safeguard the territorial integrity of Manipur.

The JAC team started assembling at the Sagolband Moirang Leirak Machin bus parking and Ibudhou Khamlangba Lampak at about 8 am.

People from different communities including Kabuis took part in the team that went to Kekrupat.

Hundred of people proceeded to Kekrupat to pay their respect to the 15 persons till late into the evening.

Dharnas and sit-in-protests at a various points put up photos of the martyrs where people paid their respects.

Meanwhile the Shintha Leppa day called by the Manipuri Students� Federation to pay respect to the 15 people was complete and total.

All shops downed shutters at the main commercial centres and inter district buses and passenger vehicles suspended services.

Attendances at all the government offices were negligible and security forces were out in full strength to pre-empt any unwanted incidents.

As evening approached candles and torches were lit at the gate of every household as a mark of respect to the fifteen persons who paid down their lives to protect the territorial integrity of the State.

The MSF, Borayangbi branch in a statement said that meetings to honour the martyrs were held from 4 am till 7 pm at Sugnu, Tongjing, Pambikhok, Leingangkhong, Laingoubi, Borayangbi, Sandengkhong, Sagang, Lainingkhul and Wangoo Naodakhong Terakhong.

Schools, colleges and government offices remained closed for the day.

Candles and torches were lit up at the gate of every household at 7 pm, said the statement.

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