The 25th anniversary of Khongjom Tarpan was observed at Khongjom River at the historic Khongjom War Memorial Complex in Manipur’s Thoubal District on Wednesday.
Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh led the people to offer tarpan to the departed freedom fighters at Khongjom River.
Former minister and president of Khongjom War Memorial Trust, Moirangthem Hemanta Singh; president of Shiv Sena, Manipur, M Tombi; vice president Lian Gangte; Additional Deputy Commissioner of Thoubal, L Radhakanta Singh; representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions and people from different parts of the State participated among others in the observation.
Deputy Chief Minister also led the people to pay floral tribute to the statue of Paona Brajabashi, a renowned freedom fighter during Anglo-Manipuri war at Kheba Hill in the complex.
Speaking on the occasion, Joykumar said, Langban Tarpan is an important ritual through which blessings for well-being, peace and prosperity can be pleaded to the departed forefathers.
He said, Khongjom Tarpan signifies the remembrance of ‘our departed freedom fighters’ who fought for freedom from colonial British regime in those days.
“In this day, all have to be united and offer tarpan to the freedom fighters and leaders so that the blessings will lead us a peaceful, dignified and prosperous livelihood. The day also remembers the dignity, sanctity and sacrifice made by the leaders for freedom facing the mighty British only with sword. Let us all remind those sacrifices for a peaceful and prosperous state of Manipur,” he felt.
In his speech, former minister M Hemanta Singh said, the Trust which was founded in 1993 began offering Khongjom Tarpan in remembrance of departed freedom fighters.