Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 21 2009:
The 61st anniversary of Pungdongbam incident occurred on this in 1948 remembered today with function organized by the Irawat Month Celebration Committee.
The day is observed as "Manipur Kanba Numit" every year.
Moirangthem Ibohal, chairman, CPI Manipur State Control Committee, a close associate of the Irawat during his life time graced the function held at Irawat Park, Lamlai Challou.
CPI state secretary, Langol Iboyaima presided over the function in which state health and family welfare minister, Ph Parijat, MLA H Borajao, MLA Usham Deben ad former minister Dr M Nara attended as guest of honours.
Offering floral tributes to the memorial of the Pungdongbam incident after a procession marched from Yorung High School to the memorial site marked the observation function.
CPI workers, women volunteers, members of Loumi Lup and other took part in the procession.
Health minister, Ph Parijat recounted the incident of 1948 and said it is a very important day in the history of Manipur.
Six-one year back from today, India government started taking up steps to form a state called North Eastern Frontier Province (Purbachal Pradesh) by combining, Manipur, Tripura, Lushai Hills Range (now Mizo-ram),Cachar district of Assam and part of Karbi Anglong.
At that time, none of the political parties in the state tried to object it but communist party under the leadership of the Irawat launched agitation with the voice that Manipur should be remain as Manipur and it cannot be combined with other states to form a new one, Parijat observed.
A meeting of the people was organized at MDU, Imphal on September 21 of the year 1948.People from Lamlai side who were coming up to attend the meeting were blocked by police at Pundongbam.
There erupted a confrontation between the police and public.
In that a police officer died when a bullet hit him.
In the follow up, government Irawat and his followers as outlaw and declare wanted with Rs 10,000 reward to those who can provide information to arrest Irawat.
Since then Irawat become underground.
He took shelter in Burma and started his struggle from there.
But the step to form Purbachan had been stopped.