CorCom salutes womenfolk
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 10 2012: Recounting events that led to Nupi Lan, the women's uprising that changed the course of Manipur's history, CorCom paying obeisance to the valiant manipuri womenfolk expressed confidence that they would continue to fight against injustices.

A statement issued by the Coordination Committee (CorCom) of KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), RPF, UNLF and UPPK observed that even though the first uprising by the Manipuri womenfolk against the anti-people policies of the then british rulers was in 1904, the impact of the second uprising in 1939 was far-reaching and one of the most significant movements.

Denouncing forced labour, levying of tax and unjustifiable water tax the first uprising on 1904 compelled british Political Agent Mr Maxwell to withdraw the forced labour policy, said the CorCom.

In the second historic uprising, the womenfolk launched protests against export of rice from Manipur as large scale export led to severe shortage of food grain to such an extent that the people faced starvation-like situation.

Apart from the british ruler's 'Cart tax' and 'Lal Pass' facilitating Marwari traders to export rice produce of Manipur without any restriction, outbreak of World War II in the late 1930s and unseasonal rainfall in November 1939 disrupted agricultural activities and its productivity.

Noting decline in the productivity and serious food crop shortage the State durbar annulled rice-paddy export licence only to be relaxed/revoked by the then king under pressure from the British officials.

Even though the British rulers insisted that rice supply for its soldiers should be sustained under all circumstances, relaxation of the norms only facilitated the marwari traders to dictate terms, the CorCom recounted.

To protest the british-influenced rice export policy Manipur women launched movement on December 12, 1939 to prevent supply to rice to the Marwari traders along with boycotting of khwairamband Keithel, gheraoing the State Durbar and maintaining vigil at rice mills.

Taking then Durbar president Mr Sharp, a British national, into custody the agitated womenfolk asked the captive to communicate with the manipur Maharaja, who was then on a pilgrimage to Nabadwip, for reimposing ban on rice export.

In trying to disperse the agitators troops of Assam Rifles inflicted injuries to a number of protesting womenfolk during the crackdown at near the Telegraph Office (present day Post Office) but the womenfolk maintained their position.

In the meantime information was conveyed to the protestors on December 14 about the Manipur king revoking rice export licence but the womenfolk continued to remain there for preventing transportation of rice even as some others continued to encircle rice mills.

On December 16, Lamyanba Hijam Irabot arrived from Cachar and along with his companions namely L Kanhai and T Ibotombi joined the women's agitation.

While Irabot was detained on the charge of opposing the British rule/policies, Kanhai managed to sustain the momentum by initiating civil disobedience movement against Feudal Dues and Tax with Khwairamband Keithel being the centre of agitation.

In the course of the agitation women leaders like Rajani, Maipakpi, Sanatombi and Ngangbi were taken into custody by the British forces and the movement dissipated as the Second World War raged, said the CorCom.

In commemoration of the women's uprising, Manipur Praja Sangha observed the second anniversary of the uprising on December 12, 1946 at Damudar Paul ground, Keishamthong and since then Nupi Lan is being observed till date.

The nude protest at Kangla by elderly manipuri women on July 15, 2004 at near the western gate of Kangla Fort to protest both the rape and murder of Thangjam Mano-rama and continued imposition of AFSPA 1958 and the ongoing hunger strike by Irom chanu Sharmila against the draconian Act are some concrete evidence that Manipuri womenfolk are prepared to face any eventua- lities.

The same valour and commitment are also inevitable to not only sustain the ongoing campaign against injustices under Indian rule but also are encouragement to the revolutionary groups that the armed movement would ultimately succeed, it said.

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