Reconciliation Day observed
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 09 2012:
Remembering Maharaja Gambhir Singh, who freed the people of Manipur from the clutches of marauding Burmese soldiers and ended the Seven Years' Devastation, United People's Front (UPF) observed Reconciliation Day at Manipur Press Club today.
The function was attended by Arambam Lokendro, Senior citizen and BM Yaima, President UPF as Chief Guest and President respectively.
Advisor of UPF, Th Mangi, ex-Presidents YK Dhiren and Y Devdutta were also present as Guests of Honour.
Delivering the key note address, N Rupachandra, General Secretary, UPF said that Reconciliation Day is being observed in the state in remembrance of Maharaja Gambhir Singh restored the lost freedom of Manipur after the First Anglo Burmese War (1824-26) .
He further said that the Manipuris have endured untold sufferings in trying to get back the lost freedom.
Sadly, the present generations are not encouraged to study and understand the important of this freedom struggle by incorporating in the syllabus of schools and colleges.
Speaking on the occasion, Arambam Lokendro said that Maharaja Gambhir Singh was not only a true patriot but also a good administrator.
In order to defeat the Burmese and free Manipur, he formed the Manipur Levy comprising of 500 persons and marched towards Manipur from Sylhet on May 17, 1825 .
The Manipur Levy reached Manipur on June 10 of the same year and occupied Kangla on June 12.Under the leadership of Maharaj Gambhir Singh, Manipuri soldiers defeated the Burmese and freed Manipur.
The Kabow Valley was reoccupied by Manipur in 1826 and the Treaty of Yandaboo was signed after the Anglo Burmese War came to an end in 1826 .
Maharaja Gambhir Singh was totally heart broken when Kabow Valley was handed over to the Burmese in 1834 and he died of heart attack on January 9, 1834, the same day Kabow Valley was given away.
He further appealed to all the different communities of the state to come up as one and face all the problems engulfing the Manipuri society today.