CorCom salutes martyrs on Patriots Day
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 10, 2012:
On the occasion of Patriots Day (August 13), CorCom, the conglomerate body of seven militant outfits��KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), RPF, UNLF and UPPK, has saluted the martyrs of the Anglo-Manipur War, 1891. A statement issued by the committee's media coordinator H Poirei recalled that Manipur was one among the sovereign Nations in South East Asia.
Based on the foundation of a closely knit relationship among the different ethnic groups, Manipur established its own identity and traditions more than 500 years back.
Fighting bold against all external aggression, ancestors of the present Manipur succeeded in keeping the Nation free.
The Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 was one of the most remarkable wars of independence fought against European colonial powers in South East Asia like those of Cambodia and the Philippines.
After the decisive battle of Khongjom, Koireng Yubaraj and Thangal General were hung to death at Pheidabung on August 13, 1891. In addition, Pukhramba Fingang alias Kajao was hung to death earlier on May 25, Niranjan Subedar on June 8 and Chirai Thangal on October 13 later in the same year.
Stating that people have been paying fitting tributes to all the martyrs by observing Patriots Day on August 13 every year, the CorCom asserted that this death anniversary observance was never a part of the Indian freedom movement.
If this annual event is forcibly termed as a part of the Indian freedom movement, the very essence and spirit of observing Patriots' Day would simply disappear.
This day (August 13) would always find a prominent place in the lives of Manipuri people, both present and future generations.
The present situation demands the people of Manipur to study what led to the defeat of the brave Manipuri soldiers at the hands of the British imperialists, and at the same one need to analyse what one can learn from the supreme sacrifices made by the Manipuri ancestors.
After finding out the drawbacks, shortcomings and merits of the ancestors, the present generation need to stand united and fight back all the challenges so that a common legacy of a united Manipur take firm roots which would be priceless inheritance of the future generations, Poirei asserted.
It was the ideal and conviction of the Manipuri forefathers to die in the battlefields than live under alien rules without dignity.
"If we cannot understand the underlying meaning of such lofty ideal, no Manipuri would ever receive the proudness and dignity entitled to the sons and daughters of the soil", Poirei said.
The committee called upon all the people to take a common pledge on the occasion of the Patriots Day to explore collectively a path which would lead to the common destiny of all the indigenous people.
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