Fitting tributes paid on Nupi Lan day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 12 2011: The State today paid fitting tributes to the martyrs and heroes of Nupi Lan on the occasion of Nupi Lan Day 2011 .

A commemorative function was held today at Nupi Lan Memorial Complex here where floral tributes were paid to the statues of the freedom fighters of Nupi Lan movements.

Though the State level function was organised by the State Government, only Agriculture Minister Ph Parijat, IFC Minister N Biren, Health and Family Welfare Minister L Jayantakumar and MLA N Mangi attended the function.

The number of Government officials attending the function was also not very significant.

Speaking on the occasion, Ph Parijat recalled that Manipuri women waged two historic wars in 1904 and 1939 against mass exploitation and artificial famine engineered by British imperialists.

The second Nupi Lan was triggered by indiscriminate export of rice from Manipur by non-local businessmen in cahoots with British rulers which resulted in a famine-like situation in Manipur even though it was harvest season.

Floral tributes at the Nupi Lan complex

When the Manipuri women came out on the streets against the British policy of massive export of rice, the British rulers responded by deploying its military and police force against the unarmed women protesters.

The unarmed but brave Manipur women took on the military police and fought valiantly against the British policy of indiscriminate exploitation.

In the process, some of the women got martyrdom in the hands of the colonial military.

Yet, the news of this unprecedented Nupi Lan spread like wildfire all over India and the British rulers realised the bravery of Manipur women, Parijat stated.

Saying that Manipuri women have been shouldering huge responsibility in socio-political and economic upliftment of Manipur, Parijat exhorted men should never try to suppress womenfolk.

Observing that Sharmila has been fasting for the last 11 years demanding removal of AFSPA from Manipur, Parijat claimed that the Government repealed AFSPA from some areas of Imphal in recognition of her struggle.

IFC Minister N Biren stated that Nupi Lan was known as Women's War among the British rulers.

He recalled that the first Nupi Lan of 1904 was against the British order to send Manipuri men to Kabow Valley to fetch timber for re-building the then Police Agent's bungalow after it was ravaged by fire.

A major skirmish took place between agitating Manipuri women and British military at the spot where the Nupi Lan complex now stands.

He stated that women have been taking active roles in guiding and shaping the dynamics of Manipuri society.

The commemorative function was opened with presentation of a patriotic song by artists of Shri Shri Bal Mukunda Dev Government Music College and it culminated with presentation of a drama on Nupi Lan by the Nupi Lan and Khongjom War Memorial Society.

MPP too observed Nupi Lan Day at their office.