Athouba Singidamak Laangban Ashiman Tamba Thouram organised by Ningol Shinnai Kol (NISHIKOL) was observed at Kwakeithel Akham Leikai Community Hall on Tuesday.
During the observance the attendees paid rich floral tributes to the martyrs who laid down lives to protect the state’s territorial integrity during the course of conflict.
Former MLA of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa assembly constituency RK Anand, social activist Brinda Thounaojam, social and cultural activist Ningthouja Lancha, Sanaleibak Daily editor Hemanta Ningomba among others were present at the observance.
Speaking on the occasion, Hemanta Ningomba highlighted that destruction of lives and properties and complete forceful desertion of a population from their ancestral lands are one of the most tragic incidents which occurs in societies across the world.
He claimed that there are three cases of such incidents in Manipur throughout its history.
“The first is the Seven Years Devastation, the second is the Anglo-Manipuri War and the third is the ongoing conflict,” he said.
He stated that patriotic leaders gave their blood in order to protect their motherland in the first two incidents.
But such action is a rare sight in the ongoing crisis, he added. He maintained that such a pathetic state of the authorities was why fringe elements openly challenged the authorities in the crisis.
“They knew the weakness of the authorities and the deteriorating cohesiveness of the Meitei society therefore they were able to wage war on the authorities without any delay,” he said.
He maintained that the diminishing unity, the menace of drugs, the declining population and eroding traditional values of the Meiteis were crucial factors for waging the conflict.
Meanwhile, NISHIKOL spokesperson Piteshwori Nameirakpam highlighted that the observation was organised in order to honour the sacrifice of the martyrs.
She also demanded authorities to ramp up the peace restoration measures and put an end to violence and the sufferings of the people.
