Kekrupat comes alive to UCM's Great June Uprising Day

Imphal, June 18: People in large number braving the incessant rainfall thronged the Kekrupat memorial complex to pay homage to the martyred souls on the occasion of third anniversary of 'The Great June Uprising Day' today. Besides the common people, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and his Council of Ministers offered floral tribute during the observation programme organized by United Committee Manipur at Kekrupat where several speakers called on the people to foster unity among various communities living in the State. A two minute silence was observed to honour the departed souls. The observance is in remembrance of the 18 persons who fell to security force bullets during the agitation for protection of territorial integrity of Manipur on June 18, 2001 and related agitations that followed the protest against extension of Govt of India-NSCN (IM) ceasefire extension three years back. Today's observance began from as early as 3 am with presentation of devotional and patriotic songs by various artistes of the State and cultural organizations while rich floral tributes were paid to the martyred souls after an all community prayer service at 6 am. Family members and relatives of the 18 deceased persons joined the tribute paying with some of them weeping inconsolably holding onto the photographs of their near and dear ones. Among the grieving relatives and family members were aged mothers, bereaved wives and infants. Before the arrival of the CM and his council of Ministers at around 8 am members of the Huyen Lallong Manipur Thang-Ta Association and Manipur Eastern Public Band Party, Brahmapur Mange Mak-hong offered a symbolic guard of honour to the departed souls. Thereafter people in large number entered from the-astern side of the memorial site, offered floral tribute and marched out to the west side. The observance programme was held amidst strict security arrangement and traffic diversion at several entry points to Kekrupat. With the exception of those vehicles carrying family members and relatives of the deceased persons and UCM office bearers all other vehicles were barred entry beyond DMC gate and Thangmeiband crossing on the western side while on the eastern end vehicles were slopped at Minuthong. Buses carrying people from distant places were allotted parking slots at several junctions including New Checkon, Khuman Lampak Main Stadium complex, Hafiz Hatta Road, Lamlong Bazar etc. In consonance with the observance public congregated at near the memorial site where people representing various communities, including from neighboring State of Nagaland spoke and stressed on unity for peaceful co-existence and prosperity of Manipur. A blood donation camp was also conducted at Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association office premise in connection with the observance where one JN Hospital doctor and eight laboratory technicians supervised the camp. UCM honored the martyrs with presentation of simple gifts to family members of the deceased.