Martyrs memorial foundation stone laid at Kekrupat

Imphal, April 18: The foundation stone for the planned Great June Uprising Memorial Complex was lad down at a simple ceremony today at the Kekrupat cremation grounds. The memorial complex is being set up through the initiative of the United Committee Manipur in memory of 18 martyrs who laid down their lives in the territorial integrity protection movement of June and July 2001. Leaders of various communities settled in Manipur participated in the foundation stone laying ceremony. Floral tributes were also paid in the name of the 18 martyrs, and two minutes? silence was observed in their memory. UCM president Sapamcha Jadumani, chairman of the construction committee Konshamcha Langamba, chairman of the Research, Analysis and Documentation Cell H Kulla, ZUCAM president Meibon Paomei, KSO president PK Haokip, Haokip Veng village authority N Haokip, UMMO representative Md Abdul Qayam, social worker Md Riyajuddin, Simte Youth Organization president TS Keikhomang, Young Paite Association president Paupu Ngaite, Luplakpa of the Chothe village, Bishnupur, H Thambaljao and RK Ranendrajit and A Shyam Sharma comprised the presidium at the function. UCM secretary Kh Ratan presented the keynote address, while Sorojini Leima, Yumnamcha Dilip and Joy Nognmaithem address the gathering. Sapamcha Jadumani, in his address, pointed out that the construction of the complex cannot be undertaken by the UCM alone and solicited public donations. Construction committee chairman Langamba said the construction of the memorial will be taken up in phases, and expressed confidence that most of the complex will be completed before the first anniversary of the June 18 uprising. An UCM statement adds that a total of 37 individual and organizational donors have made contributions so far for the construction of the memorial complex. The total collection, including the value of the foundation stone, amounts to Rs 19503 so far.