Take April 27 seriously : NRFM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 26 2023:
The National Revolutionary Front, Manipur (NRFM) has said that no Manipuri should ever take April 27 lightly, as it was on this day the British hoisted its Union Jack flag for the first time at Kangla in 1891 .
In a statement, NRFM continued that Manipur as an entity exists even today due to the selfless sacrifice made by 'our ancestors' in different battles.
The outfit said that Manipuris, however, seem to be commemorating the important battles of Manipur such as Awa Lan , Khongjom Lan half-heartedly these days and it needs correction.
Saying that the relationship between Kangleipak and the British started worsening in 1880 and they (the British) stopped supplying arms and ammunition to the erstwhile kingdom after that, NRFM maintained that the British also started interfering in the administration of Manipur after 1880 .
Further stating that the mismanagement in the internal affairs of the Manipur kingdom of that period became more visible after the interference of the British, NRFM said that the Manipuris started taking the British as their enemy as they started trying to capture Tikendrajit.
NRFM went on to state that the British declared war against the erstwhile kingdom of Kangleipak on March 31, 1891 .
Saying that number of casualty on Manipur side was far greater than the British in the battle which was fought to safeguard the sovereignty of Kangleipak, the outfit said that some of the martyrs of the Anglo-Manipuri war included Poila Meiraba, Major Paona Brajabashi, Heirang Kongja and Chinglensana.
It rued that March 31 to April 27, 1891 was a period of misfortune in the context of Manipur and it will be remembered for years to come.
According to the statement, British forces occupied Kangla after the war and hoisted the Union Jack replacing the flag of the independent kingdom of Manipur on April 27, 1891 .
The NRFM claimed that the statues of Kanglasha erected in front of Kangla were also destroyed by the British after the occupation.
Saying that Bir Tikendrajit was hanged along with Thangal General on August 13, 1891 while King Kullachandra and 21 of his associates were sent to exile at Andaman and Nicobar Islands, NRFM claimed that the British also collected about 4,000 weapons from the people to fend off revolt.
The NRFM claimed that Kangleipak was never a part of India other than being a Princely State of the British from 1891 to 1947 .
The British didn't leave behind any wealth and arms they collected when they left Manipur on August 14, 1947, it alleged.
Claiming that there won't be peace until the erstwhile kingdom wins back its independence, NRFM said that they will continue to fight the occupational force.