CorCom salutes Khongjom martyrs
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 22 2012:
The Coordination Committee (CorCom) of KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), RPF, UNLF and UPPK has paid deep respects to the martyrs of the battle of Khongjom who fought and laid down their lives to protect the sanctity of Manipur.
By the end of the 19th century, the British empire had colonised a large number of independent nations across the world.
At that time, Britain was the most powerful country of the world, it said.
By and by, it started colonising and annexing all the neighbouring countries of Manipur.
British annexed South Assam to their empire in 1826, Cachar district in 1832, North Assam in 1842, Naga Hills in 1866, Lushai Hills in 1872, Kohima in 1878-79, South Burma (Myanmar) in 1852 and North Burma in 1885 .
In its conquest of the neighbouring countries, the British empire was assisted by Manipur.
Manipuri soldiers fought on the side of British empire during the Anglo-Burmese war of 1885, said a press release issued by the media coordinator of CorCom H Poirei.
After antagonising all the neighbouring countries by helping the British empire, Manipur had to fight alone against the British empire when it finally set its eyes on Manipur.
The same period saw palace intrigues, revolts and in-fighting among the Manipuri princes for the throne and political power.
Persistent revolts and in-fighting among the princes gave the British empire the opportunity to interfere in the internal affairs of Manipur and ultimately declared war on Manipur.
In view of the highly inferior position of the Manipuri force in terms of weapons, number and knowledge, the Anglo-Manipuri War was actually a battle of valour and patriotism.
Though the defeat of Manipur was a foregone conclusion, the then Manipuri heroes left behind a legacy for the future generations to fight and win back the lost sovereignty of Manipur, CorCom asserted.