KANGPOKPI, September 6: Gorkha people within Kalapahar and its adjoining areas in Sadar Hills paid their homage to the tribal martyrs killed in Churachandpur incident by organizing a massive condolence and sit-in-protest at Kalapahar yesterday.
Organized by United Kalapahar Administrative and Development Society, the condolence function was attended by various Gorkha CSOs and social leaders apart from the Gorkha populace within Kalapahar and its adjoining areas.
Numbering around 500, the Gorkhas who participated in the condolence service lit candle and paid homage to the martyrs in their traditional ways while observing a minute silence as a mark of honor and respect of the supreme sacrifice made by the tribal youths.
Apart from the condolence, the Gorkhas also conducted a mass donation for the Churachandpur victims during the event.
Speaking to media persons on the sideline of the event, Subolsingh Mohote, chairman of United Kalapahar Administrative and Development Society said that the Gorkha people in Sadar Hills solemnly shared the pain and sorrow of the bereaved families of the tribal martyrs and at the same time pompously paid homage to the brave martyrs for their significant sacrifice for the tribal cause.
`We have been characteristically brought up and sustained our livelihood with the resources of the tribal land since time immemorial`, remarked Subolsingh before adding that the Gorkha would not tolerate when the tribal are subverted to their rights and land.
Urging the tribal people of the State to be strong during the difficult situation that they are enduring, he said that the Gorkha people prayed for the bereaved families.
Subolsingh Mohote further said that the Gorkhas within Kalapahar in Sadar Hills also strongly opposed the three bills passed in the State Assembly by the government and endorsed any movement initiated by the tribal people in connection with the matter.
We want the world to know that the Gorkhas will stand by their tribal brethren in Manipur, who are deprived of their privilege, he claimed.
Meanwhile, the relay sit-in-protest against the alleged anti-tribal bills passed in the State Assembly at Kangpokpi continued till today with black flags hung everywhere in the town vicinity.
Residents of Kangpokpi Ward 5 and 6 continued the relay sit-in-protest at Kangpokpi today till 5 pm in the evening.