A Brief Life Sketch of Late Dr. N. Lairen Singh (1893 - 1978)
- Part 1 -

M Nilamani *

Dr. N. Lairen Singh

Late Dr. N. Lairen Singh, Ex-Minister to the Government of Manipur (a forgotten Physician, Prominent Political Leader, Educationist, Journalist and Social Activist of Manipur during British Colonial Rule) was born in the year 1893 (Shakapda 1851) at Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai, Imphal. He lost his father while he was a child. He was brought by his mother to the house of his maternal grand father of Lairikyengbam Leikai under whose undue care Dr. N. Lairen' s schooling right from Lower Primary School to High School was completed.

Dr. N. Lairen Singh was a brilliant student. Throughout his school career, without missing a single year Dr. Lairen Singh enjoyed Government Scholarships. He was also very much fond of sports like Hockey and Football. He became known as a good athlete especially in Football and Hockey games.

After the completion of High School Course, maternal grandfather of Dr. Lairen Singh died suddenly and thereafter financial position of the family was very badly affected - which did not permit Dr. Lairen Singh to proceed his studies in the general line. He was compelled to give up his further studies in general line.

He sought State Government Scholarship and with this monetary help from the Government of Manipur, Dr. Lairen Singh could take up his future studies in the Medical line in Dibrugarh, Assam in the year 1913. It was at this time "Aabar War" broke out in Assam while the Great War in Europe known as "German War" was going on. After completing Medical Course Dr. Lairen Singh became a Doctor. Dr. Lairen Singh applied to the Government of Assam for allowing him to work and serve as volunteer in the War Field of the "Great German War". Thus at the port of Karachi (now, in Pakistan), Dr. Lairen Singh along with "Garo Labour Core" prepared for leaving Karachi.

In this Great German War three groups of Meetei Sepoys of Late Maharaj Sir Churachand Singh - K.C.S.I C.B.E. joined the War.

The 1st group led by Mr. Blecky was posted at Messopotamia. The 2nd group was led by Late Ningthoujam Gulap Singh - Subedar Major - preparing for the War at the Lands Down of Calcutta and the 3rd group was under training at Sadiya of Assam. In the War Field of France "Labour Core" composed of only Tangkhuls of Manipur led by Col Cole rendered war services. After the end of the war, Col Cole took the group to England and shown the city of London and also gave the Tangkhuls the opportunity to meet His Highness the King of England.

Message of King George (V):
"You people did not have the habit of abandoning your home for more than two days but leaving your lovely family members by crossing sea - beyond 2000 miles away from home, you have participated in the Great German War. From to-day onward I conferred the title of "Maharajah" on Shreejut Churachand Singh.

For your motherland the Britishers would always sacrifice our heart and soul. Now, I pray Almighty God to take you to your lovely home without any trouble".

A good number of people of Manipur were also sent to the Warfield of Assam to help and serve as Porters. While the fighting of the Great German War reached its zenith, Kuki (Khongsai) war broke out in almost all the hills under Manipur Rule which is as per records of British Government known as "Kuki Punitive Measure".

It would be of immense value to show as to how "Khongsai War" was caused and how was it ended.

When an attempt was being made for forming "2nd Labour Core" which comprised of Manipuri "Khongsais" only with a view to sending them to the Warfield of the Great German War, controversial issues for and against formation of "Labour Core" were erupted which led to one of the causes of "Khongsai War" in Manipur.

Since the services of almost all the Doctors were utilised for the Great War there was shortage of Doctors who could be engaged in the "Khongsai War" and as such Dr. N. Lairen Singh was brought back to 4th Assam Rifles, Manipur for "Khongsai War" (Kuki War) and accordingly utilised his services in the war.

Comment on Dr. Lairen Singh:
Quote from MC Coote O. C. No. 1 Column dated the 6th june, 1918

"Lairen Singh (Manipuri) has been Doctor babu with No. 1 Column, Assam Rifles....... He was the senior M.O. with Column and very often had no Compounder to help him owing to later being sick. He has tried very hard and done his best the whole time with the Column. Never sick and cool collected under fire".

The "Khongsai War" (Kuki War) was fought at the present place which is known as "Churachandpur".

Sir Churachand Maharaj also joined the War with his Sepoys. From this the former name of the place was replaced by the name "Churachandpur".

The Great German War was concluded under a treaty. Here in Manipur "Khongsai War" was also ended by arresting ring leaders of the War. .

After the end of the "Khongsai War" Dr. N. Lairen Singh was assigned to set up a "Moving Dispensary" whereby Dr. Lairen Singh was given the responsibility to move from one place to another place both in the hills and valley of Manipur to demonstrate the value of medicines and its benefits to the patients ailing from dangerous and contagious diseases. Such drastic measures were taken up because of the ignorance of the public on the use of medicine and their refusal to accept it. This venture was executed as per order of Col. Banata Vhalana, Inspector General of Civil Hospital and prisons of Assam.

After due performance and completion of the assignment entrusted to Dr. N. Lairen Singh, a new administrative step was taken up to make it close to administration of the hills with the valley so as to go together equally and smoothly. Accordingly three sub-divisions were established viz (i) Ukhrul; (ii) Churachandpur and (iii) Tamenglong. Tamenglong Sub-Division was allotted to Dr. N. Lairen Singh.

During his service tenure in Tamenglong Sub-Division, the Ld. S.D.O. of the area W. Shaw, A.C.M. gave his comment.

Quote: Tamenglong 31-01-23
"State Dr. Lairen SinK has worked in charge of the Medical Department for one year and five months to my satisfaction. I wish him success".

After returning from Tamenglong, in connection with the War, Gold Medal and Silver Medal were awarded to Dr. Lairen Singh. The title "Raja" was also conferred on Senapati Shri Dumbra Singh.

Dr. N. Lairen Singh was in-charge of Jail and Police Hospital for some time - thereafter he became physician of the Royal Palace as well as the most trusted physician of Raja Dumbra Singh. After some days, due to too much influence of the circumstances surrounding Dr. N. Lairen Singh through out his past and present life and also having been brought up in a financially poor family, he could not tolerate to see the grievances of the people of Manipur though he was unable to help them satisfactorily.

Suppression of the poor people by the rich class people and the act of oppression by bureaucrats against the poor and low cast people, compulsory imposition of unwanted social system - which the poor people could not comply, as per their income - tied the position of the poor section of people without giving them the opportunity to come up and live parallel to well-to-do people of the society. Such a social issue which was prevalent in those days created an instinct in the mind of Dr. N. Lairen Singh who wanted to ratify the wrong steps connected with social evils imposed on the people.

Along with the aforementioned grounds, there were many reasons which prompted Dr. N. Lairen Singh to resign from his post.

Unable to bear intolerable socio-political scenarios of Manipur which put the general public in a situation which neither encouraged the people to live with liberty to enjoy their rights nor was there any future indication of removing unbearable burden from the heads of the poor people, with this observation in mind Dr. N. Lairen Singh had resigned from his post. He had to undertake social reforms of the society of Manipur politically by raising objection and opposing the injustices caused to the general public due to improper attitudes and the manners in which the Govt. of Manipur and the bureaucrats lay hand towards the innocent and poor section of people of Manipur.

At this critical juncture, Cholera Epidemic broke out in Manipur as if the Almighty God called upon Dr. N. Lairen Singh with a verdict on his life to perform his left out duties and responsibilities as physician of the state.

Here it may be mentioned that "Cholera Epidemic" of those time was so dangerous and uncontrollable which the present people would not believe in and that they can't also be convinced from any angle that to control such epidemic needs God's help.

The act of God is wonderful. Strong determination of Dr. N. Lairen Singh not to serve the Government of Manipur was completely changed into significant thought after seeing consequences of the Epidemic. Being a Doctor, he could not tolerate to see the grievances of the people of Manipur suffered due to Cholera Epidemic. He was compelled to serve the people again as physician without taking any remuneration and that too till the Cholera Epidemic was totally suppressed.

To be continued....