CorCom pays tribute to Khongjom War martyrs
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, April 20 2013 : The Coordination Committee of six proscribed UG organisations (KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK-Pro, RPF & UNLF) has paid tributes to the brave sons of Manipur who fought to save Manipur from the hand of British ruler and sacrificed their lives at the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891, also known as Battle of Khongjom on the occasion of Khongjom Day which falls on April 23 .

In a statement, Media Coordinator of CorCom H Poirei stated that the brave sons of Manipur fought against the mighty British Empire knowingly that there was no hope of winning the battle.

Even though they know the situation, many brave sons of Manipur volunteered to fight the British Army and made the supreme sacrifices.

Recounting the events that led to the war, Poirei said that in the first Anglo-Manipuri War which was fought on March 24, 1891, Manipuri army did defeated British Army and burnt down the British Residency.

Charged with waging war against the Asiatic Sovereign Nation State secretly and targeting innocent women and children, five British Officers were beheaded as per the law of the then Manipur.

Jemadar Birbal Nagarkati of 42nd Gorkha Rifles reported the incident to Lt CJW Grant of 12th Madras Infantry and on receiving the information, Lt Grant sent a telegram to the India Government and came towards Manipur from Tamu on March 28, 1891 .

As soon as the telegram was received, India government declared war against Manipur on March 31, 1891 and attacked Manipur from three fronts.

General H Collett led the Kohima Column and attacked from the Northern side while Lt Col RHF Rennick led the Cachar Column and attacked from the Western side.

On the Sourther side, Tamu Column attacked Manipur under the leadership of General T Graham.

The Tamu Column was opposed by 100 Manipuri soldiers led by Yengkhoiba Major at Thoubal.

A fierce battle was fought at Thoubal in which Yaiskulakpa and his son Sengoisana lost their lives along with other 40 Manipuri soldiers.

The Tamu Column was once again opposed by Major Paona along with a just a handful of Manipuri soldiers at Khongjom and the final and fiercest battle to safeguard the independence of Manipur was fought there.

On the other hand, 500 British Armies were opposed by a few Manipuri soldiers led by Wangkhei Meiraba at Wangjing and made the teeming British soldiers fled from the battle field.

Unfortunately, Major Paona and many other brave Manipuri soldiers were either killed or captured in the Battle of Khongjom and the British won the battle.

After the Battle of Khongjom was over, the Silchar Column of the British Army led by Lt Col RHF Rennick took hold of Kangla on Monday, April 27, 1891 at 7 am along with Kohima and Tamu Columns, Poirei added.

He further said that although they know that there was little hope of winning the war, many brave mothers sent their young sons to the battlefield for the sake of protecting the sovereignty of Manipur.

Even though they lost the war, the heroic deeds of Manipuri soldiers won a place in the world history.

It is this patriotism and heroism that run in their blood that makes the Manipuris a formidable challenge in various fields even at international level.

Following their path and fighting for sovereignty of Manipur is the only way that would truly befitting while remembering those brave souls and paying tributes to them.

Today, when there is grave danger of possible disappearance of indigenous people, people of Manipur should strive and sacrifice to regain the lost freedom of Manipur to make it a free nation once again, CorCom exhorted, and called upon the people to make themselves ready for a final big revolt for the freedom of Manipur.

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