Seminar resolves to recognise all battlefields
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 02 2018:
A two-day seminar on "The Anglo-Manipur War 1891, Battles and Significance in the History of Kangleipak (Manipur)" organised by Justice Committee for Anglo-Manipuri War 1891, Martyrs and Victims of Kangleipak (Justice Committee 1891) at GHM Hall from March 31 concluded yesterday.
The seminar was organised with an aim to understand the importance of Anglo-Manipur War 1891 by acknowledging the heroic contribution of those war heroes who were not given proper attention and recognition by anybody, even by the State Government in their functions and also by paying honor and respect by identifying their role in the historic event.
After having thorough discussion and deliberations with various views, opinions and information from the paper presenters and general public, the seminar resolved to reaffirm the basic stand to resolve once for all the undesirable issue created by a blunder of historical mistake within the core of National interest, National identity and solidarity of Kangleipak (Manipur).
Taking into consideration of all the viewpoints, opinions expressed by the delegates, special delegates, resource persons, the seminar unanimously resolved that it is equally important and significant of all the battles fought during the Anglo Manipur War not only giving special recognition to "Battle of Khongjom" alone.
It requested the State Government to give recognition to all the battlefields equally so as to avoid partisanship.
It resolved to constitute a State Level Anglo Manipuri War Observation Committee so as to enable to organise a State Level Observation/Function on April 27 of every year as a mark of tribute to all the war heroes who fought in many battles of the Anglo-Manipur War, 1891 and subsequently declare it as a "State Holiday" as a mark of collective remembrance of all the known and unknown heroes of the War.
The seminar recommended to urge to the State Government to change the presently named "Khongjom War Memorial Complex" to "Battle of Khongjom, Memorial complex" so as to alleviate confusion and misinterpretation of the factual historical accounts.
It also resolved to recommend for the inclusion of the names of the heroes in the Anglo Manipur War of 1891 namely Ngangba, Kala, Chinglensana, Heirangkhongja, Laishraba Jambuban, Maibia Tamra Singh, Pukhrambam Kajao Singh, Chirai Thangal (Naga), Niranjan Subedar, Yaishkul Lakpa and his son, Wangkhei Meiraba etc in the syllabus/curriculum of the history subject under the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur as soon as possible.
The seminar decided to request the State Government to construct war memorial sites in all the battle fields of the Anglo Manipur War at Mayang Khang Battle (presently in Senapati district), Laimaton Battle (presently in Sadar Hills district, Thoubal Athokpam Battle (presently in Thoubal district) and Kakching Machin Manao Ching Battle (presently in Kakching district) .
The seminar further resolved to authorize the Justice Committee for Anglo Manipur War 1891 to initiate further campaign for seeking justice for the martyrs and victims of the war.
It recommended the committee to arrange another discourse to settle the matters of observation of "Battle of Khongjom Day" either on April 23 or 25.The gathering also resolved that the assignment for further research and investigation to find out more information about the war be given to the committee.