Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, July 31:
More than 15 thousand people, many of them school and college students, turned out at the Khuman Lampak main stadium today to offer floral tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives in the anti-ceasefire extension movement.
The function was organized by the All Manipur Students Union, AMSU, under the aegis of the United Committee, Manipur (UCM).
Addressing the gathering after the ceremony, former AMSU president Premananda appealed to the Naga brethren not to blockade the national highways as they are the lifelines of Manipur.
He also appealed to the government to release the jailed AMSU leaders.
He further strongly urged the Centre that if the ceasefire has actually been withdrawn from Manipur, then it should be officially announced, and the jailed students should be released.
If not, the people of Manipur will not believe and will continue their agitation, he said.
Representatives of the Zeliangrong and Muslim communities also addressed the gathering.
In Thoubal, thousands of people, men and women, young and old, in religious attire and school uniforms, paid floral tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the recent movement during a ceremony today at the Thoubal Mela ground.
Later in the evening, the large number of people went to Kekrupat in Imphal to attend the cremation ceremony of the 18 martyrs, O Ramananda Singh.
In the meantime, hundreds of volunteers of the People for Peace and Social harmony, Kakching, took out a cycle rally from Kakching Bazar to Kekrupat to pay floral tributes to the martyrs.