Forum to pay tribute to 9 victims killed in 2005 protest

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 27, 2020

The 30th September Victims Solidarity Forum has decided that the inter-denominational memorial church service for the nine martyrs will not be held at the Chandmary playground, this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

In a statement issued on Sunday, Chairman of the Forum, Manseng A Sangma said that the fateful day of September 30, 2005 is still fresh in the minds of the people and ulitmate sacrifice of nine Achik brothers will echo through the ages. 

He said the martyrs were gunned down by the administration as they were just exercising their freedom as Indians and were just peacefully gathered in the Chandmary playground in Tura and Rongrenggre playground in Simsanggre to register stern protest against the bifurcation of MBOSE, which was headquartered in Tura. 

Sangma said every year from 2006 till 2019, the ultimate sacrifice of nine martyrs is remembered and the memorial service was held at Chandmary playground at Tura and Rongrenggri Field at Simsanggre. 

“But due to unprecedented health crisis across the globe in the name of COVID-19, it is not possible for us to organise Memorial Service as usual…,”he said. 

Sangma however informed that the Forum leaders will pay a visit to the victims’ family on September 30, and also the respective graveyards in the morning along with the family members. 

He said the constituent organizations of the Forum and its leaders’ will pay a floral tribute in Chandmary playground where its memorial Cenotaph was built in the evening.