CorCom salutes martyrs on Patriots' Day
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 12, 2014:
The Coordination Committee (CorCom) of the proscribed KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK(Pro), RPF and UNLF has paid befitting homage to all the patriots of the land who sacrificed their lives for the cause of the nation's sovereignty on the occasion of the Patriots' Day.
In view of the highly degenerated socio-economic condition which has threatening even the identity of Manipuri nation, it's time to follow the legacy of those brave patriots and intensify the war of liberation, said a press release issued by the committee.
It reminded that Manipur (Kangleipak) remained an independent kingdom since very early ages in Western South East Asia (WESEA).
Even after the whole of the Indian sub-continent was brought under British empire, Manipur remained an independent kingdom and it proved to be an eye-sore to the British rulers.
Their efforts to annex Manipur was resisted tooth and nail by prince Koireng.
With an intention to overpower and nab Koireng, British soldiers waged war against Manipur in the night of March 24, 1891.In the ensuing battle, many innocent women and children were killed apart from burning scores of houses.
Ultimately the British soldiers were defeated by Manipuri soldiers and the British Residency was surrounded.
On the charge of waging war against an independent kingdom, JW Quinton and five other British officers were given death penalty.
After this, the British empire invaded Manipur from three directions resulting in the famous Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891. Following the defeat of Manipur, Thangal General and prince Koireng were hung to death at Pheidabung on the concocted charges of waging war against Queen Victoria.
Pukhrambam Kajao, Niranjan Subedar and Chirai Thangal were also hung to death in different dates on fabricated charges.
Manipuri soldiers were fully aware that they stood no chance against the mighty British empire.
Yet they fought the war unto the last man for they valued freedom and national integrity than anything else.
In memory and commemoration of the valour and sense of patriotism shown by the Manipuri soldiers, August 13 is being observed as Patriots' Day every year.
However, after the alleged annexation of Manipur by India on September 21, 1949, Manipur's political structure, economy and social practices were demolished under alien rule.
Now Manipuri people have lost their indomitable spirit and they have been accustomed to abominable culture of dependence unable to protect their own identity, it said.
By grooming a group of compradors who are self-centric and devoid of any concern for the national issues, the Government of India has been conveniently using the compradors in repressing and exploiting the masses.
"The puppet rulers have been steadily eroding the significance of the supreme sacrifice made by our forefathers.
Contradictory to the ideal of the valiant forefathers to whom death was far better option than living under colonial rule, the puppet rulers have no concern for the suffering of the masses and what matters to them is only their position of power", CorCom alleged.
These quislings have been continuously scheming to merge Manipur into India for good.
CorCom further appealed to all the people to re-evaluate the significance and message inherent in the supreme sacrifices made by Manipuri forefathers and collectively pledge on the occasion of Patriots' Day to carry on their legacy.
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