SHILLONG/GUWAHATI: Thousands of people on Thursday bid a tearful farewell to late Major David Manlun, who was killed in a gun battle with NSCN-K and ULFA (I) cadres in a village in Nagaland’s Mon district late Tuesday night.
The soldier’s body was flown to Shillong on Wednesday. People from all walks of life had been visiting the bereaved family’s residence in Happy Valley since Wednesday evening to pay their last respect.
Meghalaya Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Nongkrem MLA Ardent Basaiawmoit, East Khasi Hills SP Davis Marak, top officials of the police, parents of Kargil War hero Captain Clifford Nongrum, and principal of St Anthony’s College, Manlun’s alma mater, Br. Albert Longley Dkhar, were among the visitors.
DGP S.B Singh representing civil administration and police, besides Assistant Inspector General of Police O. Passi were also present.
Manlun’s parents said they were proud of their son’s sacrifice.
During the condolence speech, a member of the North East Interior Mission said Manlun was not only a great soldier but he was a good person and was engaged with the mission. He was an athlete and a keen footballer.
“It is a great loss not only for the nation but for the mission as a whole as he worked for the uplift of the society,” the member said.
Manlun’s family hails from Churachandpur district in Manipur. His father, M. Khamzalam, is a retired subedar. His elder brother is presently serving with the Assam Regiment in Shillong and sister is married to an army officer, said Kohima-based Defence PRO Colonel Chiranjeet Konwar.
The young Major loved music and was a guitarist and vocalist of repute. He had a linguistic flair. In addition to English, Hindi and his mother tongue Zou, he was proficient in many languages that included Mizo, Kuki and Paite, Konwar said.
Lt. Colonel Yeshika Awomi of 164 Brigade Territorial Army praised the soldier’s bravery and said he was the epitome of what a young army officer should be.
He added that David was dedicated and also popular among army officers.
“He was loved by all for his cheerful, sporting and human nature. We shared many things together since we’re both from the same region. What he did was an act of valour, the true tradition of the Indian Army,” he said.
In March 2010, Manlun was commissioned into the 1st Battalion of the Naga Regiment, the outfit which remembers him fondly. He joined the battalion at Naugam in J&K and served there for next two years and took part in number of operations.
After a stint of peace station at Baklow in Himachal Pradesh, he was posted in Nagaland with 164 Infantry Battalion of Territorial Army since 2014.
Manlun was laid to rest at the Assam Regimental Centre cemetery with full military honour and he was also given gun salute.
Slain rebels
The banned United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent), in a statement on Thursday, identified the three members of the outfit who were killed in Tuesday night’s gun battle with the army at Lappa in Nagaland. The slain ULFA (I) men were identified as ‘lieutenant’ Phanindra Asom, ‘sergeant major’ Bipul Asom and ‘sergeant major’ Santosh Asom.
