CorCom salutes Nupi Lan patriots
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 11 2015 : The CorCom has paid rich tributes to the brave Manipuri women who fought the historic Nupi Lan of December 12, 1939 against British colonial rulers.

Their valour and sacrificial spirit is both the ideal and inspiration of the present generations, said a press release issued by CorCom media co-ordinator Ksh Yoiheiba on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of Nupi Lan (December 12) .

Manipuri people lived with dignity as an independent Nation and they did not know how to live under the control of any foreign power, said CorCom.

Soon after British occupation of Manipur, the British Residential Bungalow was burnt down.

In retribution, the British rulers ordered all Manipuri men to go to Kabow Valley and cut down Chingsu trees in order to re-build the bungalow.

Manipur women came out in thousands and they not only defied the order but also forced the then Political Agent to withdraw his order.

This was the Nupi Lan of 1904 .

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 famine-like situation although it was harvest season.

On December 12, 1939 a large number of Manipuri women came out and challenged the colonial regime's policy of exporting rice.

The unarmed but brave Manipuri women fought against the bayonets and boots of British soldiers.

It was a highly significant political uprising which challenged both feudalism and colonial rule.

In spite of all the repressive measures unleashed by the colonial regime, the twin force of colonialism and feudalism was vanquished by the people's movement and rice export was stopped completely, CorCom asserted.

Both the Nupi Lans continue to be sources of inspiration for Manipur people to lead a free and dignified life.

Since Manipur was merged into the Indian Union, Manipur has been degenerating politically, economically and socially.

Moreover, all the indigenous communities have been facing the grave situation of possible total extinction.

In the face of all the repressive measures allegedly unleashed by India, Manipur women, through the meira paibi movement, have been acting as vanguards to safeguard Manipuri society.

The movement is slowly taking the form of a 'Third Nupi Lan'.

It would be the responsibility of the educated Manipuri women to ensure that this movement achieves its goal.

It further conveyed best wishes to all the Manipuri women who have been preparing for the 'Third Nupi Lan' .

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