Imphal, Dec 10 : People of Manipur, especially those belonging to Meitei Naga, Muslim, and Hindi-speaking people, stopped their activities on Sunday across the state as a mark of respect to the 13 people, mostly young teenagers, who were killed by armed persons belonging to another community on December 4 at Tengnoupal district.
The Mangani Leihul (the first part of a Meitei ritual of deceased persons) of the 13 youths was held at Tarongthel of Andro, Imphal East, on Sunday, where thousands of people attended. Tens of thousands of people from across the state visited the burial site of the 13 people at Tarongthel to pay tribute to all the deceased. Those who attended the rituals included Meitei, Naga, Muslims, and Hindi-speaking people from Manipur.
The family members of all 13 people had agreed to organise the rituals in one place. Family members and those who attended the ritual condemned the killing of people who were unarmed after being captured. This is the first incident where the bodies of victims were recovered.
As a mark of respect, all shops were closed down, and people ceased their normal activities.