Dark Day in the history of Manipur remembered
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 27 2010: The 12th Dark Day was observed today in remembrance of the day Manipur became a colony of the British and the Union Jack was unfurled at Kangla on April 27, 1891 .

Organised under the aegis of International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), the observance function held at MDU Hall here was marked by offering of rich floral tributes to the departed Manipuri soldiers who laid down their lives fighting against the British in the Anglo-Manipuri war of 1891 .

IFC Minister N Biren Singh, Chairman of MANITRON Dr Kh Ratan and advisor of IPSA H Ibotombi Khuman attended the function as chief guest, guest of honour and president respectively.

Minister N Biren addresses during the 12th Dark Day Observance held at Manipur Dramatic Union hall on April 27.The observance commemorates unfurling of the Union Jack in Kangla after the conquest of Manipur by the British force

Delivering the key note address, general secretary of IPSA W Homeshore recalled that on the night of March 23, 1891, British troops carried out an unprovoked attack at the palace of Manipur and killed some people.

In retaliation as well as in resentment of the British inference in the administration of Manipur, seven British soldiers including an officer have been killed at Kangla and Mayangkhang.

Consequently, British declared Anglo-Manipur war on March 31, 1891 and the Manipuris fought against the invading British to safeguard the sovereignty of their motherland.

After putting up strong defence in the battles at Pallel, Kakching, Khongjom, Thoubal, Laimaton Ching and Mayangkhang till April 26, the British soldiers finally unfurled the Union Jack at Kangla on April 27 at 7 am.

From that day, Manipuri became a colony of the British.

So, the Dark day is being observed in remembrance of the sacrifices made by our forefathers for the sake of protecting the independence of Manipur and instil this sacrificial spirit to the present generation, Homeshore said.

In his address as chief guest of the function, Minister Biren pointed out that Manipur lost its independence because of disunity among the princes.

So as long as there is no unity among the people, the sovereignty of any State would be at stake and this unity can come about only when there is the spirit of sacrifice and dedication among the people.

The Minister further said that the disunity, craze for power and submission to others for personal gain which were present when Manipur lost its independence in 1891 are still present in Manipuri society today.

A handful of people is trying to break part Manipur and causing obstruction to the developmental activities of the Government.

But the people do not like to see Manipur falling apart and there is mutual respect and love among the hills and the valley people.

The Government also supports this, the Minister said.

In connection with the upcoming election to the Autonomous District Council, the Minister said that the Government would be conducting the election of the District Councils at any cost.

The Government would never compromise the rights of the peace loving people with those handful who are objecting to the conduct of the election.

In his address, Dr Kh Ratan observed that along with observing Dark Day, there is the need to understand how the Anglo-Manipuri war had taken place and why the Manipuris were defeated.

We should also never forest the sacrifices made by our forefathers while fighting against the British for the sake of Manipur.

Head of Department of History, Manipur University Prof N Joykumar and Senior Lecturer of History Department, Standard College Dr Moirangthem Ranjana were among the resource persons who spoke at the occasion.