Fitting tributes paid at Cheiraoching amid tight security
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 13 2009: Admist stringent security measures, people coming from different parts of the State today paid floral tributes at the martyrs' memorial located atop the Cheiraoching hillock at Thangmeiband today.

The memorial has been constructed in remembrance of the nine PLA cadres killed during an encounter with the security forces at Kodompokpi on April 13, 1982 .

Public have been coming to pay their tributes at the memorial complex every since on this day since 1990 .

A lady breaks down while paying her tributes while cops maintain tight security at Cheiraoching, April 13

People started arriving carrying basketfuls of petals to pay their tributes at the memorial complex since 7 am to 3 pm.

Stringent security measures were also put in place by the State administration to ensure no untoward incident occur during the event.

Earlier on April 8, the district administrator had come out with a list of 122 persons who are either family members or friends of the nine slain PLA cadres who would be allowed to offer the floral tributes.

However, after filing a complaint in this regard by one Kh Rebita Devi and party, the Imphal Bench of the Gauhati High Court had issued an order to allow any person who would like to pay their tributes.

Consequent to the Court directive, the District Magistrate of Imphal West had issued a permit to allow offering of the floral tributes from 7 am to 3 pm.

However, inspite of the Court order, before allowing the people to pay their tributes the security personnel on duty made all them to stand in line at the foothill for verification and put such questions like 'Out of the nine slain PLA cadres for whom have you come to pay floral tributes and to which family do you belong to ?' .

Even after the verification, the public were also made to register at the entry gate of the memorial complex and only two to three persons were allowed at one time to enter for paying their floral tributes.

Security personnel also checked all the bags and flower baskets being carried by the people.

In certain areas, the security measures put in place caused confusion to the mediapersons who had gone to cover the event.

Even though the permit of the District Magistrate had not mentioned anything on use of camera by mediapersons, security personnel stopped them from taking photographs of the people standing in line waiting for verification at the foothill.

After a brief and heated confrontation, the matter was resolved and the mediapersons were allowed to take photographs.

Public who were coming to pay their floral tributes were also earlier prohibited from taking video coverage of the event, though it was permitted later on.

Apart from offering floral tributes to the memorial of the nine slain PLA cadres, the public also paid homage to the status of Thangal General, Paona Brajabashi, Bur Tikendrajit and Hijam Irabot standing like sentinels at the four corners of the memorial complex.

Students from various schools also participated in offering the floral tributes.

Our Jiribam correspondent adds: Families' Committee observed Athoubasinggi Numit (Martyrs' day) at Jiribam, reports our correspondent.

Hundreds of people including meira paibees, students and social activists paid floral tributes at the memorial at Chindong Leikai.