A total of Rs one lakh and ten thousand, donated by Non Resident Manipuris living in the United Kingdom were distributed by All Manipur United Club Organisation (AMUCO) to family members of 21 victims who died while protesting against the extension of Naga ceasefire in Manipur. Apart from the victims’ family, one woman who was injured during agitation was also offered financial aid.

Each family of 21 victims received Rs. 4500 and a shawl from AMUCO. Sorokhaibam Sobita Devi whose leg was amputated during the June 18 uprising also received the same amount of financial help. Chairman of Chorus Repertory Theatre Ratan Thiyam, Kuki Inpi president P. Gangte and Kulwant Singh, proprietor of Golden Travels were among those present on the occasion. A two-minute silence was observed to pay respect to the departed souls.

Speaking on the occasion Ratan Thiyam said the extreme sacrifice of the 21 martyrs should forever remain etched in the history of the State. “We should never forget their sacrifice,” he stressed. He also lauded the generosity of the Non Resident Manipuris and also prayed that the political leaders will wake up and display better understanding and love for their motherland.

AMUCO president Ito Tongbram while sharing the grief and pain of the bereaved families recollected the extreme sacrifice of the martyrs who laid down their lives to safeguard the territorial integrity of Manipur. He also expressed gratitude to the NRMs for their generosity. Stressing on the need for peaceful co-existence Mr. Tongbram called upon all to remove the artificial barricade between communities.

Stating that the June 18 clearly demonstrated that nothing should hold us back from defending our land, P. Gangte, president of KIM said that the people had shown what they could do for Manipur. He also lauded the NRMs for their generosity and for sharing the grief and pain of the bereaved families.

The North American Manipuri Association (NAMA) also donated Rs. 12000 to AMUCO.
    
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