The UNLF said, “No words would be able to describe the patience, passion and the grit Oja Loicha Mangang had while dealing with the old and the young alike and also the qualities of his character in sharing the fortunes and misfortunes of the people”.
TFM Desk
The proscribed United Liberation Front (UNLF) has condoled the demise of its advisor and “revolutionary elder” Oja Loicha Mangang, also known as Huidrom Sharat.
A press note issued by Th Charairongba, media coordinator, DOP, UNLF said that Oja Loicha Mangang was one of the patriots who was “valiant, hard-working and a person who could stand against all odds”.
“Oja Loicha Mangang was a revolutionary leader who had played his role in the struggle to regain the lost sovereignty of Manipur”, said UNLF. Oja Lociha Managang passed away at 7.30 pm on September 30 while undergoing brief treatment at RIMS Hospital for old-age related health issues. “Cadres of UNLF and MPA deeply mourned the demise of advisor Oja Loicha Mangang and offered revolutionary salutes to the departed soul”, said the press note.
Oja Loicha was born on October 8, 1936 at Khagempalli Huidrom Leikai to Huidrom Angou and Huidrom Ongbi Ibeyaima. He passed his matriculation in 1959 from Bengali High School, Imphal. He studied P.U.C. (Science) and Bachelor of Science from D.M. College and passed his M.Sc (Botany) from Guwahati University in 1966. In 1959, while studying at D.M. College, he met people’s leader Tamohal Arambam Somorendra and joined the NCC (National Cadet Corps)’s 3rd batch under Arambam Somerenddra. After he completed his master’s degree, Oja Loicha Mangang joined the UNLF, said the release.
UNLF said that Oja Loicha worked under the supervision of UNLF founder CC Member Lamyanba NK. Sanajaoba and became a great leader who was close to Arambam Somorendra. He travelled to interior regions of the state and the rural areas and helped in creating awareness about the conditions of Manipur under colonial rule. In 1966-67, Oja Loicha travelled to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) via Tripura to receive training and seek procurement of arms, said the UNLF press note.
While working for the UNLF, Oja Loicha Mangang joined the D.M. College’s Department of Anthropology as a Demonstrator and retired in 1999. Since his student says, he never distanced himself from the party or issues confronted by Manipur and took initiative in the establishment of AMSU, Panmyl, Lamyanba Pakhang, Macha Leima, said the UNLF.
“To achieve the party’s objective of self-reliance on food security, he helped establish a farmers’ group and became the manager of a farm, besides shouldering responsibilities in handling issues at the local leikai level. At the ripe old age of 86, when he could barely walk, he participated in the UNLF’s 9th General Assembly (GA) held in March 2022 as the president of the Advisory Committee and guided the party to a successful GA. Yawolloi Ahal Ibungo Oja Loicha Mangang served the people and the UNLF till he breathed his last”, added the press release.
The UNLF said, “No words would be able to describe the patience, passion and the grit he had while dealing with the old and the young and also the qualities of his character in sharing the fortunes and misfortunes of the people”.
On his demise, the UNLF and its armed wing the MPA held a condolence meeting on October 2, 2022 morning at the Party CHQ. The meeting was attended by District Committee and Local Unit members who also paid revolutionary tribute to the departed soul. The same was observed at MPA GHQ, Battalion, sub-units. “Let the soul of Ahal Ibungo Yawolloi Oja Loicha Mangang rest peacefully on the lap of Mother Manipur and wait for the freedom flag to be unfurled”, said the press release issued by the proscribed UNLF.