IT News
Imphal, June 18,
Fitting tributes was paid to the Martyrs of June uprising of 2001 at Kekrupat today.
People from all walks of life came to pay homage to the departed souls who sacrificed their lives while safeguarding the integrity of the state on June 18, 2001 protesting against the June 14 Bangkok Declaration where a dubious and contentious clause ‘without territorial limits’ were added to the agreement signed between NSCN (IM) and Government of India ceasefire agreement which provoked the people of the state to openly revolt against it. Various government buildings including the state assembly, official residencies of the MLAs, Ministers and political party offices were burnt down during the agitation. Various persons from different communities paid homage to the departed souls at the Kekrupat memorial complex.
Revenue Minister Karam Shyam, Education Minister Th. Radheshyam, MLA Susindro @Yaima, Ex-MP Dr. T. Meinya and Wife of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh , N. Ongbi Heiyanu were also seen paying tribute to the martyrs of June uprising at Kekrupat.
AMUCO and UCM observes the day as “ 18TH The Great June Uprising Day and Unity Day” at Kekrupat, as usual.
Speaking to the reporters, Chairman of the 18TH Great June Uprising Day and Unity day Observation Committee, Devan Sharma said that Manipur was an independent nation until India annexed the nation on October 1949.
He added people need to recall on how the 18 precious lives were lost and 3 other in the following protest in June 2001.
He further said that with the immediate response of the people and the shut down called by different civil society organisations to protest the declaration and the ultimate mass protest on June 18, in which 18 people were killed in firing and the way in which the State Assembly were burned down by the angry protestors. He continued that offices of the different political parties were also torched.
Divide and rule policy was exercised between hill and plain, Devan added and said that the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for safeguarding of the land must not be forgotten.
In connection with the “ 18TH The Great June Uprising Day and Unity Day” a blood donation camp was also held at Kekrupat. Similar blood donation camp was also held at Thoubal Wangma Taba. The blood donation camp was organised by Royal Fitness Academy Gym, RFA Thoubal under the supervision of Blood Bank & Transfusion Unit, District Hospital Thoubal under the theme “Tears of Mother cannot Save Her Child, But your Blood Can”
