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

Imphal, December 12 2014 : The State today paid fitting homage to the brave mothers of Nupi Lan who fought valiantly against British colonial rulers for all the socio-political and economic injustices meted out to the collective populace of Manipur.

The State function of the Nupi Lan anniversary was held at Nupi Lan Memorial complex with Chief Minister O Ibobi leading the way in paying floral tributes to the departed freedom fighters.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Speaker Th Lokeshwar, Ministers, MLAs, the DGP, top ranking civil and police officers, women activists and students followed the Chief Minister in paying floral tributes to the brave mothers.

Then the function was formally opened with the presentation of a paean by artistes of Shri Shri Bal Mukunda Dev Government Music College, Imphal.

A play on Nupi Lan was also staged as a part of the commemorative function.

The Nupi Lan drama was jointly played by the artistes of Nupi Lan Memorial Association and the Nupi Lan & Khongjom War Memorial Society.

CM O Ibobi paying tributes on Nupi Lan day and a traditional dance staged at THAU ground

Speaking on the occasion, Ibobi remarked that Nupi Lan or the Women's War forms a landmark chapter in the political history of Manipur.

After defeating Manipur in 1891, Churachand, then a minor, was put on the throne of Manipur while all administrative powers were concentrated in the hands of British officers.

Some unidentified persons set afire the residence of the Assistant Political Agent, known as Shoto Saheb in local parlance one night in 1904 .

Taking advantage of the isolated incident, the British rulers came out with an order asking all males of Imphal to go to Burma, bring Chingshu timber and re-build the residence.

This ridiculous and irrational order evoked mass uproar, particularly among the womenfolk of Imphal town.

They literally kept the residence of Political Agent Maxwell under siege.

Ultimately, the order was revoked.

This episode is known as the first Nupi Lan in the history of Manipur.

In the meantime, the British rulers as well as the king kept on oppressing the common people.

A serious food crisis unfolded in 1939 on account of hoarding all available paddy in the market by non-local traders for exporting the same commodity outside the State.

Again, the womenfolk of Manipur came to the forefront and appealed to the king as well as the Political Agent to address the unfolding crisis.

The agitating womenfolk even blocked vehicles carrying rice and bound for different destinations outside Manipur.

Then they attacked rice mills which were hoarding the same commodity.

This resulted in violent confrontation between the unarmed women and police.

As the situation turned more grievous, a large group of womenfolk stormed the Manipur State Durbar Hall on December 12, 1939 and held Durbar President Mr TA Sharpe captive.

On his request to send a telegram to the king who was then at Nabadweep, TA Sharpe was taken to the Telegram office where the Nupi Lan Memorial Complex stands today.

As the womenfolk gathered around the Telegram office in the chilling winter evening, troops of 4th Assam Rifles were given orders to drive away the agitating womenfolk.

The AR troops bayonetted many women while many others were thrown into the nearby pond.

Still then, the valiant Manipuri women fought back with bare hands and they won the battle.

Subsequently, rice mills were closed down and export of rice was banned and this gory yet glorious episode is what is known today as the Second Nupi Lan, Ibobi recounted.

The Chief Minister also called upon the present generation of Manipuri people to walk on the footpath of those brave and selfless mothers so as to make Manipur a strong and self-reliant State.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam remarked that Nupi Lan is a tale of successful resistance against suppressive policies of a Government by civilians.

It is matter of pride that Manipuri women of the colonial era fought bravely and selflessly against the repressive colonial Government.

He then called upon all the people of Manipur to shed all malicious thoughts and intentions so as to establish a progressive and harmonious society.

Expressing serious concern over the ever soaring crime rate against women and children, the Deputy Chief Minister underscored the importance of collective efforts against such social malady.

Gaikhangam also made a clarion call to wage a battle of social reformation.

Those anti-social elements committing all kinds of crimes and violence upon women are unwittingly inviting a third Nupi Lan.

Contributions and responsibilities shouldered by Manipuri women in all realms of life are simply uncountable, he added.

On the other hand, the Nupi Lan Memorial Race (Nupi Lan Ningshing Lamjel) held in commemoration of the Nupi Lan anniversary was won by K Sonia in category I (36-45 years), Saikhom Bedishini in category II (46-58 years) and Th Ibemhal in category III (59 and above) .

A total of 541 women took part in the commemorative race.

Meanwhile, Nagaon District Manipuri Handloom Society organised the platinum jubilee memorial function of Nupilan at Nandapur Gurga temple, Hojai today.

Around 2000 people from 47 localities of Hojai took part at the function.

Nupilal Ningshing Numit Observation Committee, Jiribam also organised the the 75th Nupilan Day at Jiribam town hall.