Imphal, April 13:
Fitting tribute was paid today to the PLA martyrs who had laid down their live fighting the Indian Security force at Kodompokpi and other places at the memorial site at Cheiraoching today.
The day is observed as “Athoubashing-gi Numit “(Martyrs’ Day) by armed rebel group RPF to commemorate the sacrifice of their army PLA cadres.
Relatives, friends and including members from different communities came at Chingmeirong Cheiraoching, Thangmeiband in Imphal West to pay floral tributes at the memorial complex of martyrs of the banned Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF).
The function was observed in honour of the 7 PLA men who were killed in the Tekcham encounter on June 16, 1981 and the 9 PLA men killed in the Kadampokpi encounter on April 13,1982 .
People also paid floral tributes at Kadampokpi and Tekcham.
The nine PLA cadres who were killed in Kodompokpi encounter were Thoudam Kunjabihari of Kakwa Nameirakpam Leikai, Thoudam Loken alias Amujao of Kakwa Nameirakpam Leikai, Paka of Heirok, Pakhanglakpa alias Puki of Keisampat, rk khoiromba alias Gyane of Moreh, Sorokhaibam Kameshwor alias Kanta of Heibongpokpi, Khundrakpam Chaobhan of Kwakeithel Moirangpurel, Naorem Rajen of Kakwa Naorem Leikai and Moirangthem Premkumar of Tera Sapam Leikai.
The Martyrs Day was observed at Council headquarters of the RPF and General Head Quarters, Tectical HQ, Strategic Command, 252 Mobile Battalion and other units, department of the RPF’s army wing PLA.
In a statement by Roben Khuman, Secretary Publicity, RPF, the rebel group extended its heartfelt gratitude to the people of the region including representatives of all communities both from hill and valley, clubs, organisation, Bar Association and Government Machineries including health department, students for paying tribute to the martyrs memorial site at Cheiraoching.
The rebel group also thanks the media people working both at electronic and print medium.