Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 06, 2009:
Leader of the December 12, 1939 Nupi Lan leader Tongbram Shabi was remembered on her 100th birthday in a solemn function today.
The solemn function held at Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal was jointly organised by the Freedom Fighter Tongbram Shabi Birth Centenary Celebration Committee and the League of Callow Patriots.
Offering floral tributes to the martyr and memorial lectures on her struggle against the oppressive imperialist rule were the main features of the birth centenary observance.
The lectures centred around the causes of the Nupi Lan.
After the British occupation of Manipur, farmers had to pay land taxes in cash.
Usually farmers paid taxes at the close of the harvesting season after selling off paddy.
To pay exorbitant taxes, farmers preferred to sell paddy to Marwari traders who offered higher prices and in turn exported outside Manipur.
The situation was such that Manipuri people found it hard to buy paddy even though it was harvesting season.
Faced with the harsh reality of starvation, Manipuri women rose up against the British administration on December 12, 1939.Popularly known as the second Nupi Lan in the history of Manipur, it lasted from 1939 till 1941. In this uprising, Shabi was one of the leaders who fought in the forefront.
On one occasion on December 29, 1939, Shabi and a group of women scattered a consignment of paddy belonging to a Marwari trader.
For this, Shabi and her party were hunted by police.
Instead of running away, the group launched a civil movement against the police.
On January 29, 1940, Shabi and her followers submitted a memorandum to the king asking for ban on rice export, closure of all rice mills and termination of IP Thambou accused for bayoneting women.
On another occasion, a group of women including Shabi rescued a woman named Leibaklei from the hands of police.
Leibaklei was being apprehended by police for protesting against sale of imported clothes.
For this Shabi was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and Leibaklei for two months.
Shabi breathed her last on January 1, 1974, the resource persons narrated.
Today's birth anniversary observance was attended by MLA Thangjam Nandakishore, NCP vice-president Hijam Jayentakumar and CPI Manipur state chairman Moirangthem Ibohal as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.