Maharaj Gambhir Singh fittingly remembered : Re-consolidation Day observed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 09 2015 : United People's Front (UPF) today observed Re-consolidation Day in commemoration of the 181st death anniversary of Meidingu Chinglen Nongdrenkhomba (Maharaj Gambhir Singh) at Manipur College.

After offering floral tributes at the memorial of the king at Langthabal Kunja, people took out a procession up to CYLC ground, Pishum Chinga Mathak, where a formal function was held.

Senior citizen Dr Arambam Lokendro, UPF president BM Yaima Shah, All Manipur Working Journalists' Union president Wangkhemcha Shamjai, Indigenous Minority Organisation president Khupler Kom and Prof N Joykumar of Manipur University attended the function as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.

In his speech, Dr Lokendro said that Burmese warriors invaded Manipur and ruled Manipur from 1819 to 1826 .

During this period known as Seven Years Devastation, people of the State had to endure extreme hardships under Burmese rule and many people fled their motherland and took refuge in neighbouring States like Assam, Tripura and Bangladesh, he added.

Re-consolidation Day observed

However, under the leadership of Meidingu Chinglen Nongdrenkhomba, Manipuri soldiers launched a massive offensive against the Burmese warriors and overthrew their rule in 1826, he added.

Dr Lokendro said that Meidingu Chinglen Nongdrenkhomba and his men chased the enemies up to Chindwin river.

After regaining independence from the Burmese rule, the brave king reconstructed a new united Manipuri kingdom comprising people of different communities, he added.

As such, it is the responsibility of the people of the current generation to sustain this unity and protect the independence of Manipur, Dr Lokendro added.

Prof N Joykumar while speaking at the function said that Meidingu Chinglen Nongdrenkhomba passed away on January 9, 1834 .

He added that the erstwhile Manipuri kingdom achieved glory during the reign of Maharaj Garibniwaj.

The kingdom witnessed expansion in all directions during his rule, he said and added that however Burmese warriors took advantage of the enmity among the princes and occupied Manipur in 1819 .

However, Meidingu Chinglen Nongdrenkhomba (Gambhir Singh) and Nara Singh established Manipur Levy and defeated Burmese warriors after a prolonged fight in 1826, he added.

Prof N Joykumar observed that Manipuri people had to face different problems after the State merged with the Indian Union.

Saying that Manipuri people are being treated as second class citizens, Prof Joykumar alleged that different forms of oppression and crime against and children and women are being meted out to the people of the State.

In his speech, Khupler Kom mentioned about the need of bringing unity among people of different communities.