SHILLONG, June 8 - The mortal remains of Major David Manlun, who was martyred during an encounter with militants on Tuesday along the Assam-Nagaland border, was laid to rest with full military honours at Assam Regimental Centre here today.
The funeral service was attended by hundreds of people. In the morning, Meghalaya Governor Banwarlilal Purohit visited the residence of the bereaved family to offer his condolences.
Major Manlun�s mortal remains were flown to 58 Gorkha Training Centre Helipad yesterday and received with full military honour.
Speaking at the funeral service, Major Manlun�s father, M Khamzalam, a retired army personnel said, he was �proud� of his son and the sacrifice he made for the Nation. �We are privileged to have a son like him who was very courageous,� Khamzalam said.
He said that the sacrifice of Major Manlun would not go in vain and would motivate other youths from North East to join the Indian army. Major Manlun�s mother, Mannuamniang Manlun also said that she is proud of her son�s sacrifice while praying for the departed soul.
Major Manlun�s colleague in 164 Territorial Army Lt Col Yeshika Awomi said that Major Manlun was a �cheerful and energetic person� and was always trying to do something different.
Others who attended the funeral service were Captain Clifford Nongrum�s (Kargil war martyr) family. Incidentally, the Nongrum family are also from Madanriting.
Major Manlun graduated from St Anthony�s College before he joined Indian Army in 2008. �He used to command our NCC unit and we grew up together in Happy Valley-Madanrting area. This is a personal loss for all of us who were a part of that community in Anthony�s and locality,� one of the martyr�s friends said.
Major Manlum attained martyrdom during an encounter with ULFA, NSCN (K) at Lappa in Nagaland�s Mon district on Tuesday. During the encounter four Ulfa cadres were killed. Three soldiers were also wounded.
