Imphal, August 28 2010: The proscribed Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) has extolled Haipou Jadonang as a brave son of the soil who had sacrificed his life for the sake of the integrity of Manipur.

In a press release mailed to the press here today, Secretary, Publicity of RPF, T Leisemba said that Manipur is a land of many brave men and women.

A number of brave sons and daughters had been born among the hills people too.

Leisemba said, among those brave sons, Jadonang, who was born in the Kabui tribe, was also one.

The Manipuri society always remembers the courage of Jadonang.

Thus, the courage of the united people of the hills and valley identifies such a small land before the world.

Therefore it is apt that the people of Manipur observe the birth anniversary of the brave forefathers and honour them, the RPF's press release stated.

It further said that Jadonang, who wanted to protect his (community's) cultural and traditional identity without having to submit to any one, had played the role of a leader by mobilising his own group and launched a movement against the oppressive rule of the colonial British.

In order to suppress his movement, the British adopted a divide and rule policy between the Meeteis and the Kabuis.

Taking a cue from the British, even now India is also continuing the same divide and rule policy between Meetei and Naga, Meetei and Kuki, Paite and Kuki, Naga and Kuki, Meetei and Meetei Pangal, etc., Leisemba alleged.

He charged that the present cold relationship amongst the various tribes and communities is all a gameplan introduced by the British and still being continued by India.

Leisemba recalled that Jadonang had opposed the collection of house tax and forcible use of people as labourers by the British and their oppressive rule, and waged a struggle for liberation against the British.

For that, the British arrested Jadonang from Cachar and levelled a number of accusations against him on fabricated charges.

The Secretary of Publicity, RPF maintained that the British had thought up of ingenious plans to divide the Kabui and the Meetei communities, which had been living together with love and peace since time immemorial.

Thus, the British sentenced 26 year-old Jadonang to death by hanging on fabricated charges on August 29, 1931 on the bank of Nambul river behind the Imphal Central Jail, Leisemba reminded.

He said, the far sightedness of the leader, his ability to see the future, and courage to sacrifice his own life for the sake of Manipur have all taught the people of Manipur a valuable lesson.

The RPF appealed to the people of Manipur to follow the ideals of the leader and unitedly fight to defeat the colonial rulers.

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