116th Birth Anniversary and 61st Death Anniversary
CorCom salutes pioneering figure Hijam Irabot
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 19, 2012: Offering rich tribute to Hijam Irabot on the arrival of the pioneering figure's birth and death anniversaries later this month, the Coordination Committee of KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), RPF, UNLF & UPPK has called upon the people to pay befitting respect to the late leader.

While the 116th birth anniversary of Hijam Irabot falls on September 30, the pioneering leader's 61st death anniversary would be observed in Manipur and beyond on September 26. A CorCom statement issued by its media coordinator H Poirei stated that being the first revolutionary leader of Manipur Irabot's valour and versatile movement still remain as a source of inspiration for the ongoing sovereignty movement.

Iterating that commitment and activities of Hijam Irabot against colonial forces during his short life-span of 55 years could be understood and realised if one discusses his life and mode of movement, Poirei opined that Irabot's movement had been interpreted in different ways by one section of the society to another especially in his campaign against the then rulers of Manipur, who by then were already influenced by the Britishers.

Hijam Irabot

Even though his initial movement was people-centric and based on the principle of democracy, Irabot was forced to wage an armed struggle to free the people from suppression by both the Britishers and rulers virtually acting on behalf of the British Government consequent to the September 21, 1948 Pungdongbam incident, aid the CorCom statement.

The forcible annexation of Manipur into India on October 15,1948 changed the course of the revolutionary movement under Irabot whose vigorous campaign to gain independence not only compelled Govt of India to apply all available resources to subdue the movement but also made India enemy No 1 for Irabot.

As Manipur (then Kangleipak) was already declared as a Socialist Republic in October 1948 by the Irabot led Manipur Communist Party the campaign against India persisted with Irabot orchestrating the movement from Burma in between 1949 to 1951. Even though Irabot breathed his last on September 26, 1958 at Burma the information was kept under wrap till 1953 when the Manipur Communist Party (MCP) at its 'Porompat Conference' deliberated on whether or not the sustain the campaign, highlighted Poirei.

With the then MCP general secretary Lamabam Ibotombi not favouring Parliamentary Line of agitation the battle went on till 1955 when ultimately there was division among the rank and file of the MCP following certain setbacks in the movement.

Prior to passing away, Irabot attended a global conference of youths and students at Calcutta in February 1948 and it was after this conclave that Irabot realised differences between the ideology of India's communist party and that of MCP.

Some days after the Calcutta session another major meeting attended by Communist leaders of south east asia was held with Irabot, attending the same as a representative of Assam Provincial Committee.

Even though decision was taken to sustain armed movement in the region, Irabot sensing variation in objective condition of Manipur with that of India delayed the armed campaign.

Rather than the Russian model, Irabot was more impressed by the national communism movement under the then Yugoslavia leader Marshal Tito.

This particular stand of Irabot resulted in a Cachar Manipuri known as comrade Basna to lobby with communist leaders and prevail upon Irabot to self-criticise for favouring concept of Tito's national communism rather than the Calcutta session favouring the Russian model, explained the CorCom statement.

Having realised incompatibility between ideology of the Indian mainstream and aspiration of the Manipuris, Irabot subsequently tendered an apology for his stand in October 1949 but had already galvanised manpower and material resources to sustain the armed movement of his choice.

Inspite of a parallel political movement steadily taking roots in Manipur, people were more drawn towards Irabot, who even deputed a trusted colleague to undergo arms training with Chittagong Armoury Raid.

Consequently secret cells were set up which operated under a fictitious name called 'Tek Sangathan' since December 1949, while he himself and some top functionaries changed their names.

During the armed movement some 'class enemies', wealthy individuals with nefarious intention and informers were put to rest, maintained the statement while adding that Irabot also realised importance of evading arrest and sustaining armed movement in stealthy but effective way.

After getting the support of Burma's communist leaders and organisations, Irabot intensified his campaign by training and arming village level groups, including one a Heirok.

Until his demise Irabot remained focused on the movement but the momentum waned after his death and mass loss of lives of communist cadres consequently resulting in the MCP being disbanded by the anti-armed campaigner - CPI, said the statement.

With regard to the contention that Irabot did not oppose Manipur's merger to India, Poirei referred to literatures about Irabot flinging away his pen on hearing the news of Maharaja Bodhchandra signing the merger agreement.

Maintaining that mainstream India and Manipur would always differ on almost every aspect, mainly on the socio-political concept and aspiration, Poirei reiterated that Irabot deserved to the remembered for his awakening the people of Manipur since the 20th century.

Moreover, the fact that Irabot was totally against the merger of Manipur to India could be illustrated from his conveyance to the then Manipur State Congress president RK Bhuoonsana which was quoted in Karam Manimohan's book as 'After India has won her independence let the people decide the questions on how Manipur should be merged with any Province, or whether she should remain aloof.