Imphal, July 8: With the renaming of Awa Ching as Lamjing Meira Ching, the 1st Lamjing Meira Ningsing Numit of Sapam Robinhood who laid down his life in the hands of State Police during the protest for implementation of Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) in the state has been observed at his memorial complex built at Awa Ching, Imphal East today.
A large number of Meira Paibis, students, representatives of student bodies and other organisations paid floral tributes and observed two minutes silence during the ‘1st Lamjing Meira Ningsing Numit’, organised by Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS), Manipur.
A public meeting was also held with representatives of JCILPS, various clubs, social organisations, Meira Paibis as presidium members during the observance function during which the implications of prolonged agitations for implementation of ILPS in Manipur and the problems being faced by the people were discussed.
In his speech, JCILPS convener in-charge BK Moirangcha said that the sacrifice made by Robinhood is not to be forgotten. Though the construction of the memorial complex of Robinhood is not fully completed this year, it will be continued in phased manner to complete at the earliest. Being the burial site of Sapam Robinhood, Awa Ching will be known as Lamjing Meira Ching from today onwards, he declared.
Saying that there is no let-up in pro-ILPS protest, BK Moirangcha said that the JCILPS will resume agitation after the observance of Robinhood’s death anniversary.
The JCILPS will mainly focus on its demand for passing of a fresh Bill for the safeguard of indigenous people of the State in the State Assembly session which is slated to be held within this month, Moirangcha said.
JCILPS will submit a memorandum along with a proposed draft Bill to the Govt at the earliest, he added.
It may be mentioned that Sapam Robinhood, a student of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary School was killed in a pro-ILPS agitation on July 8 last year at Hatta Minuthong when police opened tear gas shells and mock bombs to disperse student protesters.
A large number of people from various parts of the state also came to pay their respect and offered floral tributes to the photograph of Robinhoon who has been conferred the title ‘Lamjing Meira’ at his memorial complex at Awa Ching.
A torch will be lighted at Awaching and Ananda Singh Higher Secondary School in the evening along with lighting of memorial lamps by the people of the state at their respective compounds in the night.
