IMPHAL, April 13: Family members and well-wishers of the nine RPF, PLA leaders and cadres who were killed on April 13, 1982 in a gun fight with the J&K Army personnel, paid floral tribute at the memorial tomb at Chingmeirong Cheiraoching hillock, today.
Hundreds of people including well wishers, friends and family members flocked at the Cheiraoching hillock since early morning today. However, the visitors were barred from carrying their bags at the memorial sites.
The floral tribute was allowed starting from 6 am and lasted till 4 pm, amidst heavy security measures.
Like previous years, the state Government this year too tried to impose prohibition on the floral tribute ritual but the court directed the state Government to allow the family members, bonafide well wishers and friends to enter the memorial tomb and allowed to perform the ritual.
The court orders was issued following a petition filed at the High Court of Manipur by Kh (O) Rebati Devi who is representative of the Families Committee for the Observation of 13 April, under WP(C) No. 179 of 2012, for passing similar order for allowing the petitioner, relatives and others who are bonafide, well-wishers and friend to offer floral tribute.
On the other hand, floral tribute was also paid at Kodompokpi, where the PLA leaders and cadres were slained.
Our Jiribam correspondent adds: As in Imphal where people paid homage at the Memorial site of the nine RPF, PLA leaders and cadres who were killed on April 13, 1982, people in Jiribam also paid floral tributes at the memorial site at Chingdong Leikai today.
The function was organised by the Family Committee for Observation Committee, Jiribam at 9 am today.
Various Civil Society Organisations and people of all caste came to pay their homage.