CorCom salutes Haipou Jadonang
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 27 2021: The proscribed Coordination Committee (CorCom), a conglomerate of underground groups operating in Manipur (Kangleipak), offered revolutionary salute to Haipou Jadonang ahead of his 90th death anniversary, which falls on August 29.According to a CorCom statement, Haipou Jadonang was not only a religious and social leader of the Rongmei community in early part of the 20th century but also a brave freedom fighter who waged war against the mighty British to form an independent Makan Gwangdi.

The CorCom statement issued by media coordinator of its publicity committee M Sak-hen said the powerful British colonised several countries across the globe and Manipur (Kangleipak) too fell into their hands in 1891.When the colonial British tortured innocent people and spread the reign of terror across Manipur, Haipou Jadonang started several movements against colonial rule to have independent administration.

The brave leader wanted to evict British from Manipur and form an independent Makan Gwangdi.

Jadonang had strong belief that torture of innocent people could be brought to an end and the Zeliangrong culture and tradition preserved and safeguarded if the British are evicted and have an independent administration.

According to the CorCom, Haipou Jadonang was born to Thuidai and Tabonliu of Kambiron village in present day Tamenglong in 1905 and belonged to Malangmei clan.

Jadonang grew up as a courageous and patriotic person and stood against torture of innocent civilians in hills, forced labour, house tax imposed by the then colonial British.

His firm stand against violation of human rights evolved into a collective movement for the Zeliangrong people to free from the colonial British.

He began with a cultural/religious revolution which gradually shaped into a movement to force out colonial British from the land.

Soon, the British took serious note of his movement and began to look for him.

On the charge of challenging British order, Jadonang was arrested by the then SDO of North West Sub Division, Tamenglong SJ Duncan in 1928 and lodged in Tamenglong jail for one week.

However, Jadonang continued his movement after coming out from jail and chalked out several programmes to evict British through religious and cultural movement.

As his movement spread far and wide and posed a serious threat to colonial rulers, the then British political agent of Manipur JC Higgins himself along with Assam Rifles troop went to Tamenglong to arrest Jadonang.

When Jadonang returned after offering prayer at Bhavan Cave along with his 600 colleagues, the British charged him of waging war with Makan Gwangdi movement and finally arrested him from Lakhipur (Assam) on February 19, 1931.He was then brought to Imphal on March 29, 1931 and sent to jail for questioning particularly relating to Makan Gwangdi movement and hanged till death on early morning of August 29, 1931 at the age of just 26 years, the CorCom statement recounted and extended revolutionary salute to Jadonang.

The CorCom further said tribute to the legendary Zeliangrong leader would be meaningful when people work to fulfil what the late leader had wanted and significance of his movement against the British and the supreme sacrifice he made for his motherland are making clearer among future generation.

While reminding that the movement launched by Jadonang instils the spirit of patriotism among people, outfit called upon people of both hills and valley of Manipur to follow the path chosen by courageous forefather's of the land like Jadonang to defeat India to restore sovereign status of Manipur.

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