Imphal, November 09 2010: Informing that it would be observing the Kanglei Patriots' Day on November 12, the proscribed PREPAK has appealed to all the people to pay tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives in the course of the revolutionary movement by lighting up lamps in each and every household at 7 pm of November 12 .

A statement issued by the outfit's publicity in-charge Aheiba Angom further appealed to the people not to organise any form of entertainment programmes on the day.

The Kanglei Patriots' Day is being observed in commemoration of two events which occurred on November 12, one in 1978 and another in 1985 .

In the first incident, two cadres of PREPAK, Ayekpam Dhiren alias Angam of Sagolband Tera Loukrakpam Leikai and Phurailatpam Kabikanta alias Leimu alias Leingam Sharma of Sagolband Meino Leirak, and PLA cadre Pukhrambam Gambhir Singh of Singjamei Makha Naorem Leikai who were staying together at the PREPAK's transit camp at Kameng laid down their lives after fighting a pitched battle with a combined team of Manipur Police and CRPF.

In the second incident, a team of PREPAK cadres overpowered the 7th MR personnel posted at Kabowakching Sugar Mill and attempted to snatch their weapons.

But one MR personnel fired a shot in panic and the bullet hit the party's chief RK Tullachandra on the head.

He died on the spot.

Tracing the genesis of PREPAK, Aheiba Angom recalled that one revolutionary group called the Kangleipak People's Liberation Front (KALIF) was founded first in 1974 followed by establishment of a frontal organisation called the Young Universe Manipur (YUM) in 1976 with RK Tullachandra alias Loyataba s/o RK Lochon of Thangmeiband Lourungpurel Leikai as president.

Next year, Tullachandra founded another frontal organised named Kangleigi Kathoklaba Kangleichasing (KKK).

After this, members of KAPLIF and YUM, under a mutual understanding, started focusing on national self determination and securing the lost sovereignty of Manipur.

However, following the downfall of KAPLIF, Tullachandra thought that YUM could not carry on the movement.

Soon he started mobilising like-minded individuals to set up a revolutionary organisation.

On October 7, 1977, a group of nine men headed for Koubru Hills from the home of RK Tullachandra.

Two days later on October 9, seven leaders of the group hoisted the party's flag at Koubru hill-top (San Marum) and declared formation of the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK).

The seven leaders holding 3.3 bullets in the left hands and mast of the flag with the rights hands took a pledge that they were communists and they would work for the welfare of the society and the nation.

The seven leaders were RK Tullachandra (Loyataba) of Thangmeiband Lourungpurel Leikai, Ayekpam Dhiren alias Angam of Sagolband Tera Loukrakpam Leikai, Phurailatpam Kabikanta alias Leimu alias Leingam Sharma of Sagolband Meino Leirak, Ningthoujam Imochouba alias Amitkumar alias Nongthrek of Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai, Loushambam Kritibabu Mangang alias Babu alias Punsiba of Kwakeithel Moirang Purel leikai, Maibam Nandabir of Sagolband Tera Loukrakpam Leikai and Huidrom Tomba Meitei of Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai Leirak Macha.

Of the two men who did not take the oath, YUM finance secretary Elangbam Surjamani of Tera Sapam Leirak, now staying at Lamphel Sana Keithel took the role of camera man while Achoibam Bonbihari of Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai, now staying at Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai could not reach San Marum due to some injuries.

Soon after, many senior members of the Revolutionary Government of Manipur (RGM) who had gone over ground following general amnesty announced by the Government in 1972, joined the PREPAK, putting their faith in the party's ideology.

Three days after setting up the party, the first congress of PREPAK was held on October 12, 1977 at Thangmeiband Lourungpurel Leikai.

The congress appointed ex-RGM member Achoibam Bonbihari as the party's first chairman and RK Tullachandra alias Loyataba as the founder general secretary.

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