Govt observes Patriots' Day in New Delhi
Source: The Sangai Express / Manipur Info Centre
New Delhi, August 13 2015:
Manipur Government observed Patriots' Day at Manipur Tikendrajit House, Bir Tikendrajit Marg, Chanakyapuri here this morning.
Three photographs of Paona Brajabasi, Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General were decorated at the base of the statue of Bir Tikendrajit where a large number of Manipuris from National Capital Region paid their homage to the great patriots of Manipur who fought against the mighty Britishers and sacrificed their lives for the cause of their motherland during Anglo-Manipuri War in 1891 .
Lok Sabha member from Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency Dr Thokchom Meinya led the WIPs and public in paying floral tributes to the patriots.
A two-minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to the departed souls.
Lok Sabha member from Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency Thangso Baite.
Rajya Sabha member Haji Abdul Salam, former Minister Dr M Nara, Resident Commissioner of Manipur Bhavan Vineet Joshi were among those dignitaries who paid floral tributes to the martyrs.
August 13 is a red-letter day in the history of Manipur as on this fateful day in 1891, the two patriots, namely Bir Tikendrajit the prince of Manipur and General Thangal were hanged in broad daylight by the British in the presence of thousands of men and women at Pheidapung, near Imphal Pologround, as those heroes had defended the freedom of Manipur against the British.
Subedar Niranjan, Kajao Singh Jamadar alias Pukhramba Phingang and Charai Thangal of Mayangkhang were also hanged to death on June 8, May 25 and October 15 in the same year inside the Imphal jail on similar charge of waging war against the British crown.
The death sentences were also passed on the Regent Kulachandra and Angousana, but the Governor General commuted the death sentence passed on the Maharaja and Prince Angousana who were sent to exile for life to Kalapani (Andaman) along with 22 martyrs for waging war against the British Empress.
The British action in Manipur culminating in-the occupation of the kingdom and the execution of 35-year old Tikendrajit and 80-year old General Thangal created a great sensation in Bengal.
Barrister Monomohon Ghosh fought like a lion in the case against Tikendrajit and Kulachandra.
The people of Bengal in particular had great sympathy for the unfortunate princes of Manipur who were victims of British conspiracy.
Bir Tikendrajit Marg in Chanakyapuri here which is named after Bir Tikendrajit Singh, the great patriot of Manipur passes through several State Guest houses namely Tamil Nadu House, Uttarakhand House, NEC Guest House, Andaman Nicobar House, Rajasthan State Guest House, Arunachal House, Goa Niwas, Bihar Sadan and Manipur Tikendrajit House and has become a remarkable lane in the National capital.
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