State pays rich tributes to Khongjom war heroes
Do not interpret freedom in the narrow sense of separatism and regionalism: Governor
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, April 23 2011: People in their thousands today paid rich homage to the fallen heroes of the last war of independence fought between the freedom fighters of Manipur and the British soldiers at Kheba Hill, Khongjom in Thoubal district on this day in 1891, which the state observes as Khongjom Day every year.

Governor Gurbachan Jagat, Chief Minister O Ibobi led the ministers, MLAs and civil and police officers of the state in paying homage to the martyrs of the then kingdom of Manipur who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Manipur's freedom in the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 .

MPs, Dr T Meinya and Thangso Baite, also attended the ceremony.

On arrival of the Governor and the Chief Minister at the Khongjom War Memorial Complex, floral tributes were offered by all the dignitaries at the Khongjom War Memorial and Paona Brajabasi memorial sites.

A ceremonial offering of tarpon was also held on the bank of the Khongjom river which runs beside the Memorial.

Thousands of people dressed in traditional religious attires took part in the offering of floral tributes and in the Tarpon ceremony throughout the day.

Governor Gurbachan Jagat offering Tarpon at Khongjom river, CM O Ibobi watches

Speaking at a mammoth public meeting held at the Khongjom War auditorium, Governor Gurbachan Jagat recalled the patriots who laid down their lives for the sake of their motherland, fighting against the British, stating that Manipuris showed to the world their indomitable courage and spirit of patriotism.

While paying homage to the patriots of Manipur, Governor Gurbachan also remembered innumerable freedom fighters who made the selfless supreme sacrifice for the sake of freedom of their motherland from the British in different parts of the vast sub-continent.

The Governor, who remarked that freedom should not be misinterpreted in the narrow sense of separatism and regionalism, also said that any threat or challenge "be it external or internal should be faced unitedly and courageously.

On the occasion, he also appealed to the youth of the state to reject violence and to come forward to join the mainstream and work for the development and progress of the nation asserting that Manipur has been passing through a series of disruptions and destruction, such as insurgency movement, killing of innocent people, violence, extortion, kidnapping, looting, etc., in the name of revolution or freedom.

"These activities have delayed significantly the pace of development in all social and economic spheres of the state," he said urging the people to rejuvenate the pledge to preserve and protect the sovereignty, unity, integrity, and independence of the country while paying homage to the freedom fighters.

Chief Minister Ibobi, in his address, observed that Manipur is an integral part of India which was formed by integrating many kingdoms of the then Indian subcontinent.

"We should protect the freedom and sovereignty of the state within the Indian Union" .

"We shall be paying real tributes to our brave forefathers, the freedom fighters when we perform our duty to take our state towards development," he added.

He pointed out the issues lying in front of the state and said that disturbances like bandhs, blockades and other agitations have hindered the government's developmental activities.

The Khongjom battle was a day-long battle between the mighty British and the patriotic Manipuri warriors led by Major General Paona Brajabashi.

Alongside Paona, Khumbong Major, Heirang Khongja and Chinglensana and many patriotic Manipuris laid down their lives in the battle which also marked the beginning of British rule in Manipur.

Khongjom day was also observed at many other places organised by different social organisations.