Lamjing Meira Sapam Robinhood Mortal remains put to rest, thousands bid tearful adieu
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 03 2015: Thousands of people bid adieu to Sapam Robinhood, who died in police firing on July 8, as his last rites were performed amidst emo-tionally charged environment and shouting of slogans at Awaching, a hill range of Nongmaijing hills in Imphal East district today.

Thousands of people gathered at the campus of Modern College, Porompat since early morning to take part in the mass procession and funeral service of the Class XI student of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy, who has been given the title 'Lamjing Meira' .

After his body was claimed by family and JAC members from JNIMS morgue, Robin-hood's mortal remains were put inside a Keiren Keijao (special coffin).

From there, people took out a mass procession that passed through Ayangpali, Lamlong, Salanthong, his native locality Lairikyengbem Leikai, Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy and his birthplace Keishamthong Thangjam Leirak before his last rites were performed at Awa Ching.

People taking out a procession and Robinhood's mortal remains being taken to his final resting place

Huge numbers of onlookers turned up on either sides of the roads where the truck carrying Robinhood's body slowly rolled on with thousands of people following behind shouting slogans like 'Hail Lamjing Meira Robin-hood', 'Protect indigenous people', 'No revocation of passed Bills', 'Protect Manipur's territorial integrity', 'Long live Manipur' .

People bid adieu to the young student by offering flowers and candles while many could not hold back tears on seeing the mass procession.

On the way from JNIMS morgue to Awaching, ritual ceremonies were performed at his house at Lairikyengbam Leikai.

Later, the procession proceeded towards Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy, where teachers and students of the school offered floral tributes to Robinhood.

Later, the body was taken to Robinhood's birthplace Keishamthong Thangjam Leirak.

After a brief prayer service there, the procession returned in the same route to reach Porompat, Top Khongnangkhong and Awaching.

Volunteers of JCILPS Student Wing and JAC had a tough time to manage the large crowd at Awaching.

Members of JCILPS, JAC, JCILPS Student Wing, JCILPS Women Wing and people who had staged indefinite hunger strike offered floral tributes to Robinhood.

Later, traditional war attire clad Thang-Ta artistes offered salute to the martyr before his body was buried.

Artistes of Apunba Manipur Matam Ishei Kanglup (AMMIK) presented a group song dedicated to Robinhood at the funeral service.

Many people including those who had staged indefinite hunger strike, were rushed to hospital after they collapsed during the funeral service.

It may be mentioned that 16-year-old Sapam Robinhood succumbed to injury at Raj Medicity after a teargas shell hit on his face during a pro-ILPS agitation at Minuthong on July 8 .

People erupted in a huge protest after his death.

After a sustained people's agitation, three Bills were passed by the State Legislative Assembly regarding implementation of ILPS in the State on August 31 .

On September 1, JCILPS, JAC and family members agreed to claim Robinhood's body.