Imphal, April 13: Fitting tribute was paid to the slain cadres of proscribed group Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) and its armed wing People’s Liberation Army (PLA) here in Imphal on the occasion of ‘Athoubashingi Numit’ here today.
Thousands of people in mourning clothes, including family members and friends of those killed in encounters with security forces, paid floral tributes at the memorial site located at Cheiraoching on the outskirts of Imphal city as well as at Kodompokpi and Tekcham.
The outfit observes April 13 as ‘Athoubashingi Numit’ (Martyrs’ Day) every year to pay homage to its slain cadres killed during encounters with security forces in a fierce battle at Kodompokpi in 1982 on this day.
Nine PLA cadres were killed by security forces during an encounter at Kodompokpi in Imphal West.
The Families Committee for Observation of 13th April organised the event after seeking permission from the authorities through a writ petition filed in the Manipur High Court to allow people to offer floral tributes to the PLA cadres at the memorial site at Cheiraoching, Chingmeirong.
Since last few years the authorities permitted the committee to perform the ceremony in a specific time.
Personnel of Manipur Police took up adequate security measures at Cheiraoching to prevent any untoward incident during the event. All visitors were frisked by the police and later allowed them to pay homage at the memorial complex.
The visitors also paid floral tributes to the statues of Manipuri heroes Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal general, Paona Brajabashi and revolutionary leader Hijam Irabot located inside the memorial complex.
