Press Club comes alive to Patriot's Day
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 13 2019:
Justice Committee on Anglo-Manipuri War, 1891 Martyrs and Freedom Fighters Kangleipak, observed Patriots' Day at Manipur Press Club today.
Justice Committee chairman H Ibotombi Khuman and descendants of the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the Anglo-Manipuri War, attended the event as the presidium members.
Floral tributes were paid to the brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice for the motherland and a two minute silence was observed in their memory as well.
Speaking at the event, H Ibotombi Khuman said that the State Government observes Patriots' Day every year but the observance often seems to be concerned more with Yuvraj Tikendrajit (Koireng) and Thangal General.
He explained that in reality, Anglo-Manipuri war was fought on three different fronts between various British army columns and the Manipuri freedom fighters.
The war was fought at Kakching Machin Manao Ching, Thoubal Athokpam, Laimaton and Mayangkhang and Khongjom, where the State Government has built a huge monument, is also a battlefield where the war was fought.
More than 400 Manipuris were martyred at the said battlefields, 5 brave hearts were hung and 15 were exiled.
Instead of remembering just a few patriots, the committee has been organising the observation every year in honour of all the brave souls who fought and sacrificed their lives in the war.
Urging the authorities concerned to build memorials similar to Khongjom, at Kakching Machin Manao Ching, Thoubal Athokpam, Laimaton and Mayangkhang, he informed that the committee has always been honouring all the martyrs of the war at the said places by offering floral tributes.
He continued that Major Chongtha Mia was one among those who were exiled to Andaman and Nicobar islands.
Even after he was released, he was prohibited entry into his motherland nd as such, he stayed in Tripura until he died.
The committee has started work on constructing a life size statue of the said patriot at the said location, he added.
Ibotombi further said that the committee has also approached the State Government for the construction of a statue of Chirai Thangal at Mayangkhang.