21st Students' Martyrdom Day observed
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal/Bishnupur/Jiribam, August 16 2025: All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) president Ph Nando Luwang asserted that the highest respect which can be given to Pebam Chittaranjan is through the complete withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Manipur.

The 21st Students' Martyrdom Day was observed by the Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) on Saturday with floral tributes offered at the 'Athouba Pebam Chittaranjan Ningshing Meetam' (memorial bust) installed at Thaninkhun along the CI College route in Bishnupur.

Students, Meira Paibi members, family members, and representatives of CSOs also joined in offering floral tributes.

The day commemorates the 21st death anniversary of Athouba Pebam Chittaranjan, who self-immolated on August 16, 2004, in protest against the imposition of AFSPA on August 15, 2004 .

Later, another floral tribute was offered at his memorial tomb at Sega Road Takhellambam Leikai, from where a peaceful rally was taken out to Imphal College.

The participants held placards with slogans such as "AFSPA 1958 is a Colonial Law" and "Withdraw AFSPA 1958" .

21st Students' Martyrdom Day observed

A public meeting was then held at the jubilee hall of the College.

Speaking as one of the presidium members, AMUCO president Ph Nando Luwang lamented that the Government of India has still failed to hear the cries of the people despite Chittaranjan sacrificing his life in protest against AFSPA.

He said that the draconian black law continues to exist and urged the present generation not to waver in their determination and agitation to have AFSPA revoked from the state.

He stated that the indigenous population would have increased by 60,000-70,000 if thousands had not been killed under the shroud of AFSPA.

Under the current President's Rule, around 665 members of banned outfits have been arrested, of which only 19 were from the hills.

Imprisoning the youth, he said, is negatively impacting the indigenous population.

While the overall population rises every year, the number of indigenous people is decreasing day by day.

Making compromises for temporary adjustments would lead to the end of society, he warned.

Nando stressed the need to examine the current state of the indigenous population, the laws imposed on them, and Centre's view towards them.

If action is not taken accordingly to save Manipur and its indigenous people, outsiders would soon outnumber them.

He said that the future of Manipur depends on the young students, who need to be made aware of who Chittaranjan was, his thinking, and the path and future of the state.

He further said that being aware of one's surroundings and the state of affairs is part of being a fully educated person.

Education without the intent to instil patriotism and unity is not a proper education, he said.

Studying only for good marks is not education, he added, stressing the importance of non-formal education on topics such as society, threats to Manipur's integrity, attempted distortion of history, and tactics used by the Government of India to suppress the people of Manipur.

Nando emphasised the need for all student unions to respect the bravery and courage shown by Chittaranjan and urged all to take a unanimous resolution to see AFSPA revoked.

Withdrawal of the Act would be the highest act of respect to Chittaranjan, he said, calling for collective efforts in this regard.

In his speech, MSF president Hijam Roshan said that AFSPA was imposed on September 8, 1980, ignoring the will of the people of Manipur.

Under its cover, thousands have been killed and several remain missing to this day.

He said that the present generation should not forget Athouba Chittaranjan and others who stood up against this law.

He further stressed that the indigenous people of Manipur are at risk of disappearing because of AFSPA, and all indigenous communities must unite and stand against this law while setting aside all differences.

The observance was also attended by COHR chairman Phulindro Konsam, Porei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur president Soraisam Memcha, All Manipur Women's Voluntary Association president Yumkhaibam Kunjarani, and Imphal College dean of Arts, associate professor Yumkhaibam Shyam Singh, as presidium members.

Meanwhile, MSF District Committee Jiribam observed the XXI Students' Martyrdom Day 2025 (Death Anniversary of Athouba Pebam Chittaranjan) at PWD guest house in Babupara, Jiribam on Saturday.

The observance was attended by All Jiribam United Club Association (AJUCA) president M Maipaksana Mangang as chief guest, Observation Committee, MSF District Committee Jiribam chairman Th Samananda Singh as chairman, Jana Neta Irawat Memorial Trust (JIMET) Jiribam lifetime president Ch Kamal Singh, Apunba Jiribam Meira Paibi (AJMP) president S Sushila Devi, District Kang Association, Jiribam general secretary O Bisambhor Singh, and All Manipur Women's Voluntary Association (AMAWOVA) Jiribam president Th Priyadhasani Devi as members on the dais.

As part of the observance, floral tributes were offered to the portrait of Chittaranjan.