Shillong, June 8: The sound of bugles and the gun salute were a fitting farewell to Major David Manlun who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation while fighting militants in Nagaland.
Along with men in uniform, hundreds of mourners joined the late army officer's family members in his final journey from his residence at Madanriting here to the cemetery at Happy Valley.
Maj. Manlun had led from the front in taking on the militants in Nagaland on Tuesday night.
Full military honours were accorded to the young officer as the coffin containing his mortal remains was draped in the Tricolour.
Born in Manipur's Churachandpur on July 27, 1985, Maj. Manlun was brought up in Shillong where he completed his Bachelor of Business Administration from St Anthony's College. Son of M. Khamzalam, a retired subedar in the Assam Regiment, Maj. Manlun was the second among four siblings. His elder brother also serves in the Assam Regiment while his sister is married to an army officer.
Commissioned to 1 Naga Regiment in 2010 after completing his training from the Officer's Training Academy in Chennai, Maj. Manlun served in the 164 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army (Naga) from 2014 till his death.
The officer, who opted for deputation to the National Security Guard, was to report to his new venture in Delhi next week as the probation was supposed to begin from June 23.
He had been part of a number of successful operations and in recognition of his exemplary service, he was awarded with the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card on August 15 last year.
Speaking at the funeral service, Maj. Manlun's senior officer Lt Col Yeshika Awomi said the young officer was a "go-getter". "He (Major Manlun) was an epitome of what an ideal officer should be - brave, daring, energetic, and dedicated to his service. Most of all, he was a very popular officer of his unit. The men whom he commanded loved him," he said. He also said the officer's cheerfulness and sense of duty was very "infectious".
"One thing I found in the Major was that he had the zeal to do something different. I still recall once when he told me, 'Sir, I want to do something big'," Lt Col Awomi said.
The Major's father said he was proud and happy that his son had performed his duty well. "God gave me a good son. He did his duty well and with valour. I feel proud that he made the ultimate sacrifice," the retired subedar said.
Maj. Manlun's mother Mannuamniang (Manpi) Manlun, brought tears to the eyes of many when she said, "I know it is a little difficult for all of you since the weather is warm. But it will be good if you can all adjust a little bit and bear for a while since it is my son's last journey."
Governor Banwarilal Purohit, local MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, and officers of Meghalaya police were among others who paid tribute to the officer.
A statement from the defence public relations officer said Maj. Manlun was a "multifaceted personality", an athlete, a keen footballer, besides being a guitarist and a vocalist of repute.
The mood of the day could be summed up in the words of Lt Col Awomi, "Major David we are and will always be proud of your supreme sacrifice and the life we shared together. If it was our will, we would have cried heavens for your life. However, fate decided otherwise. As you depart on your final journey, Godspeed, go in peace, till we meet again."
Ulfa statement
In a statement emailed to media organisations in Guwahati, Arunodoy Asom, assistant publicity secretary of Ulfa-Independent, today confirmed that the three militants killed yesterday included two sergeant majors of the outfit - Bipul Asom and Santosh Asom and another cadre, Phanindra Asom.
The statement claimed that security forces had opened fire at their team and when they retaliated, Major David Manlun died and eight other para jawans of the army were injured.
The army, however, had said yesterday that three other jawans were injured in the encounter.
Additional reporting by a staff reporter in Guwahati
