Imphal: The thirteen Meitei individuals who were killed in a gunfight between unknown armed miscreants at Leithao Village near Saibol in Tengnoupal district under Machi police station on December 4, were laid to rest at Torongthel in Andro, Imphal East district on Wednesday wee hours.
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The day-long postmortem of the deceased persons was conducted at JNIMS hospital in Porompat from 8 am to 7 pm on Tuesday. After the postmortem, people took out a procession carrying their bodies from the hospital, passing through Wangkhei Ayangpalli, Kongba Nadeibam Leikai, Khongman Mangjil, Singjamei bridge, Thoubal Mela Ground and Yairipok Bazar before culminating at Torongthel in Andro for their final resting place.
A large number of people including family members of the deceased persons gathered at the mass burial site to bid their final goodbyes.
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The deceased persons mostly in their early adulthood are identified as:
Thingom Rocky from Torbung Bazar
Ningthoujam Tomba from Kumbi Salam Konjil
Meisnam Sanajaoba from Kakmayai Leikai under Nongpok Sekmai Police Station
Moirangthem Kingson from Khurai Puthiba Leikai
Mayengban Roshan from Wangbal Lamboithong
Sougaijam Krishnakanta from Kakching Turel Wangma Ningthou Pareng
Oinam Loken and Konjengbam Medhabanta, both from Sagolband Nepra Menjor
Phanjoubam Noren and Chingakham Nekthei, both from Andro Torongthel
Chongtham Chingu alias Ibungo from Sabungkhok Khunou Awang Leikai
Th. Malemnganba from Irengbam and
Laishram Arun from Sekmaijin.
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Among the 13 deceased, Th. Malemnganba from Irengbam is only 15 years old. They are suspected to be cadres of proscribed People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of Revolutionary People’s Front, a valley based insurgent group.
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Market places in Imphal city, including Paona market were shut on Tuesday mourning the demise of 13 Meitei youths. Shop owners ceased work for the day putting down shutters on their shops since 10 am.
It may be mentioned that in the prevailing Manipur violence, the Tengnoupal encounter which has claimed 13 lives is considered to be the highest single day mass killing of the Meitei people followed by the Khamenlok incident which claimed the lives of 10 Meiteis.
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