Chittaranjan death anniversary
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 20 2019: The Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) has initiated due preparations for the 15th Martyrdom anniversary of Pebam Chittaranjan on August 16.Speaking to media persons at their Kwakeithel Thounaojam Leikai office today, MSF president Ng Milan recalled that Pebam Chittaranjan self-immolated on August 15, 2004 and gave his life for the people of Manipur against the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958.Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh admitted that AFSPA 1958 is a draconian and inhumane law which challenges the UN Declaration on Human Rights.

Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee too recommended repeal of the infamous Act but the same Act is still enforced in many States of the North East and Jammu & Kashmir, Milan decried.

Deeply hurt on seeing the atrocities committed by security forces upon civilians under the cloak of AFSPA 1958, Pebam Chittaranjan resolved to end his life and remain alive forever in the history of people's struggle for justice rather than live like a dead man, Milan said.

After offering floral tributes to the bust of Pebam Chittaranjan at 7 am of August 16 at Bishnupur, a formal ceremony of paying homage to the anti-AFSPA champion would be held at Takhellambam Leikai Youth Club ground, his native place, at 10 am.

This would be followed by a silent mass rally from Takhellambam Leikai to DM College of Science where the main commemorative function would be held, Milan said.

He also appealed to all concerned including the State Government, police and district administration to help commemorate the 15th martyrdom anniversary of Chittaranjan successfully.

As the commemorative function would require money and public support, a finance committee has been constituted and it would collect monetary aid from the public.

Meanwhile, all preparations have been completed to lay foundation stone for a Pebam Chittaranjan Mangang Memorial Complex at Bishnupur.

A construction committee has also been constituted.

The memorial complex would have a public library and also a destitute home, Milan said.

Public donations would be sought for constructing the memorial complex and the names of donors would be inscribed on the memorial complex, he said.

Saying that transport facility would be provided to participants of the silent mass rally scheduled on August 16, Milan appealed to all transport organisations to extend necessary cooperation.

The MSF president further announced that an award christened Pebam Chittaranjan Memorial Award for Distinguished Human Right Activists would be given to dedicated human right defenders every year.

The award would be distributed on August 16 starting from this year during the martyrdom anniversary function of Chittaranjan.

Ahead of the anniversary function, painting, debating and photography competitions would also be organised for students, he added.

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