Kuki CSOs, local leaders honour Pakang Haokip
Source: The Sangai Express
CCpur, March 21 2020:
A statue of Lhukholun alias Pakang Haokip, who was the commander of Southern Sector during the Anglo Kuki War, was unveiled at Henglep Sub-Division Headquarters yesterday.
The statue, dedicated by Reverend Dr Jangkholam Haokip, was unveiled by Thangjahao Haokip, Haokip Bulpi Chassadpa in the presence of many Kuki CSOs and local leaders.
Apart from the local leaders sounding traditional gong and firing gun salutes to honour Lhukholun and other Kuki leaders who took part in the Anglo Kuki War, a souvenir dedicated to Anglo Kuki War was also released during the statue unveiling and dedication ceremony held at the statue complex and Pu Pakang Mini Stadium of Henglep Sub-Divisional Headquarters.
Earlier on the day, the final match of the Pu Pakang Memorial Trophy was played and the prizes of the football tournament were distributed during the function.
It is said that Lhukholun alias Pakang Haokip fought against the British imperialist as commander of the southern sector during the Anglo Kuki War from 1917 to 1919 .
Lhukholun was born as eldest among six siblings in 1854 at Henglep and was an excellent administrator.
According to the organizers, Kukis opposed the British policy of compulsory enrolment of villagers for labour corps during World War I in France.
The organizers conveyed that a war was declared against the British on March 7, 1917 and a war council which was held at Henglep under the leadership of Chengjapao Doungel, Enjakhup Khollou and Tintong and attended by all prominent chiefs from various Kuki villages, had appointed Pakang as commander of the southern sector.
They also informed that Pakang, with his trained guerilla warriors, successfully attacked and ambushed the Britishers many times during the Anglo Kuki War.
And the British Empire later imprisoned Pakang at Sodiya Jail for leading the Kuki rebellion against the Britishers and detained him for three years.