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Our Correspondent
Diphu, May 16 (EMN): Jaipong Football Club lifted the Hmar Martyrs' Trophy 2022 defeating Dongmukak Football Club in the final match played at Karbi Anglong Sports Association (KASA) Stadium in Diphu on Monday.
During the prize distribution function, the president of Hmar Youth Association (HYA) General Headquarters, Laldawnlien Varte informed that the tournament is a 31-year-old tourney but new to Karbi Anglong.
It was on May 16, 1989, the Hmar People's convention (HPC) volunteers confronted Mizoram Police leading to the death of two Hmar volunteers. In later confrontations between HPC volunteers and Mizoram Police, 42 people died. In other clashes like in 1966 and 1959, several Hmar youths lost their lives.
Taking into account all these incidents, it was agreed to observe Hmar Martyr’s Day on May 16 from 1989 and every year it has been observed, Varte said. He also said that in Karbi Anglong, Hmar people number around 500 to 600.
To commemorate the day, the Hmar people of Karbi Anglong organised the Hmar Martyrs’ Trophy and this is the second edition. INR 50, 000 has been awarded to the winning team, but hopefully, the amount can be increased from the next edition, he said.
Jaipong FC was awarded with a trophy and a cash prize of INR 50, 000, while Dongmukak FC was awarded with a trophy and cash prize of INR 30, 000 as the runner-up.
The player of the tournament was adjudged to Romarius Laban, best defender to Prohit, best midfielder to Dhanjit, all from Jaipong FC. The best goalkeeper Gobin Terang and highest scorer Levis Marak were of Dongmukak FC. The tournament is organised by Sinlung Football Club, Diphu, in memory of those Hmar youths who died in the May 16, 1989 incident in Mizoram.