RPF martyrs' day: Tributes paid, outfit thanks
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 14: Even as a large number of people turned out to pay homage at the memorial site of the slain PLA men at Cheiraoching on its Martyrs' Day on April 13 amid tight security measures, the outfit has expressed its deep gratitude to the media for co-operation, electricity, water supply, transport association, medical team, NGOs, meira paibis, clubs, Family Committee for the Observance of April 13, Manipur.

Security was tight at Cheiraoching and the people were allowed to pay their tributes at the memorial site only in ones.

Martyr's memorial site

Recalling the genesis of observing the day, the outfit in a statement today said that since 1990, the outfit has been observing Martyrs' Day on April 13, in remembrance of those slain in the battle at Kodompokpi on the said date, 1982 .

Tributes were also paid at the RPF's Council headquarters, Central Bureau, Eastern Bureau and Western Bureau as well as at the General headquarters, Tactical headquarters, mobile Bns and army unit of the PLA, said the statement.

A deep analysis on the theme, 'Heroes sacrifice, revolutionary marches on,' was also conducted as part of the day.

The statement went on to say that the agents of India vandalised the memorial site at Cheiraoching on April 11-12 but the damaged sites were restored by the public on April 12.However the repaired sites were again destroyed, charged the outfit.

The same were again repaired enabling the people to pay their homage on April 13 .

The obstacles posed by the security personnel in their bid to delay the people in paying their homage before the deadline forced some people to offer their homages outside the periphery of the site, said RPF and acknowledged the hardships and inconveniences endured by all to pay their respect.

The day was also observed in places inhabited by the Manipuri people outside Manipur, said the statement.

Conveying the message of the president of the outfit, the statement said that the spontaneous support of the people has boosted the determination to carry the fight forward.

Meanwhile speaking to the media somewhere at the valley area today, a spokesperson of the RPF said that despite the earlier appeals, as in previous years, there were preparations to conduct Thabal Chongba on April 13.The intervention of the RPF cadres met with positive response from almost all, said the spokesperson and added that however despite the earlier assurance from the young ladies of Arapti Ibudhou Pureiromba, a Thabal Chongba programme started late in the evening.

This constrained the cadres of the RPF to intervene and stop the function.

Stating that the action of the RPF cadres should not be misconstrued, the spokesperson appealed to the people not to organise any entertainment programmes on such solemn occasions.

Addressing the people of Arapti, the spokesperson said that there would be no compromise on the stand of the outfit in future too.

Asserting that the identities and names of all those behind organising the Thabal Chongba at Arapti are in the knowledge of the RPF, the spokesperson asked them as well as the owner of the loud speakers and members of the band party to surrender to the outfit by April 25 or else fitting action will be taken up.

Though the RPF is flexible, it will never compromise on its principle, said the spokesperson and warned all those (Thabal Chongba supporters on the said day) who have been threatening the burn houses and assault others in connection with case to retract their stance.

The spokesperson also reminded all that the RPF has never banned Thabal Chongba.

Its only appeal was to suspend all entertainment programme on April 13 in respect of the solemn occasion.

The outfit appealed to the elders of the family members of the Thabal organisers to discipline their wards as well as to hand them over to the outfit within the set deadline.

Booklet of Martyrs: In commemoration of the Kodompokpi battle on April 13, 1982, the RPF as part of its series has this year brought out a booklet listing the names of the martyrs who have laid down their lives from 2001 to 2007 Dec, informed a spokesman of the outfit today.

The booklets have been presented and distributed to all, he said.

However since there were some mistakes in the booklet released, the spokesman sought to correct them.

In the booklet released to the people, the name on Sl number 53 is repeated twice.

On the other hand, the name on Sl no.57 and 67 have been left blank inadvertently he said and added that their names should be Sl no 57, Private Shital alias Sultan, Ahongshangbam Basanta of Charangpat Keithel Macha Leirak, shot dead on August 6, 2003 and Sl no 67 Private Tomcha , Chungkham Tiken of Taret Khul Mayai Leikai arrested by police commandos and Assam Rifles personnel on January 19, 2004 from Langdum Lamkhai and shot dead at Nambol Thiyam.