Imphal, April 25 2010: Asserting that the time has come for the people to seriously introspect the true meaning and values of Khongjom Day, beyond the ambit of the 'shambolic' State function held on April 23, the proscribed UNLF has today stated that ever since the sacred day was declared as a State Function, it has been transformed into a platform for the 'pretenders' .

In a way this amounts to insulting the memories of the martyrs of Khongjom war, said the outfit in a statement.

Agreeing with the observation of Governor Gurbachan Jagat, who said that Khongjom Day clearly sends out the message that there is nothing more precious than freedom, the outfit nevertheless asserted that the Governor does not know how the day came to be observed.

Even Chief Minister O Ibobi will not know this, it claimed.

Since the Governor has spoken about Khongjom Day, even though it was from the perspective of India, it is right that the genesis of observing the day be announced for all to know.

After Manipur was 'annexed' by India in 1949, the Chief Commissioner did not allow anyone to openly pay tributes to the heroes of Khongjom war, fought in 1891.Even the play, Bir Tikendrajit, staged by Rupmahal was banned and its manuscript was confiscated, said UNLF.

All these were done not to kindle the spirit of freedom, by remembering the martyrs, amongst the people of Manipur, said the outfit and added that with the coming of democracy in India, the alien rule in Manipur also started undergoing certain changes.

Later, the paying of tributes to the martyrs of Khongjom by family members were allowed, said the statement.

The kins and descendants of Paona Brajabashi started paying their homage at Khongjom every year.

Later, an organisation called the People's Welfare Organisation took upon itself the task of spreading the sacrifices of the martyrs every year on April 23, from 1968 and named it Khongjom Day, added the outfit.

At that point of time, thousands of young people would take out a cycle rally from Imphal to Khongjom to pay their respect to the departed souls, recalled UNLF.

Though no one knew, the People's Welfare Organisation was in close relation with the UNLF.

The real message of observing Khongjom Day is to rekindle the spirit of sacrifice for the freedom of the land and the people, said the outfit.

The Khongjom War is still going on, claimed the outfit further.

Without coming out into an open confrontation with India, UNLF was tacitly awakening the spirit of Manipur by observing such a day.

However today, with Khongjom Day christened as a State Function, its real meaning has been relegated to the background and it has become a platform for the self serving people to voice their opinion.

Such a situation calls for a re-assessment of the actual meaning of observing Khongjom Day, beyond the purview of State Function, observed UNLF.

Comment