Women scribes commemorate 2003 AMWJU trip to Andaman
Source: Chronicle News Service / Debarani Nongmaithem

Andaman, March 22 2024: A team of women journalists, which is on an exposure tour to Andaman & Nicobar Islands under the aegis of All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) and sponsorship of Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Manipur visited and paid homage at Mt Manipur (erstwhile Mt Harriet) on Friday.

The team, also consisting of two DIPR officials, left for Mt Manipur national park on a ferry around 7am on Friday and then took taxi ride till Manipur Parvat National Park, also known as Mt Manipur, and trekked for a short distance, followed by plantation of saplings of 'Kundo', 'Kamini Kusum', smelly beans, etc., indigenous to Manipur and observance of a minute's silence as a mark of respect to the departed souls of Manipuri freedom fighters and to all those who lost their lives in the ethnic conflict in the state.

The journalists also commemorated the Union's visit to the place after 21 years.

It may be recounted here that chief minister N Biren Singh had flagged off the media exposure tour to the Islands on March 16 from Imphal.

Speaking in this regard, AMWJU president Bijoy Kakchingtabam pointed out that the trip was envisioned to pay homage to our brave forefathers and all those who died during the ongoing conflict in the state.

Bijoy then expressed elation on participation of many lady journalists in this tour, while wishing for a safe return to Manipur.

He also expressed hope that the state government will keep its words for developing a memorial complex at Mt Manipur dedicated to the political prisoners from Manipur exiled to Andaman & Nicobar Islands after Manipur suffered defeat in the Anglo-Manipuri war of 1891.Senior reporter Sonia Sorensangbam also assured of upholding the expectations of the people to convey the experiences of witnessing the historical place and expressed hope that the lady journalists will continue to visit similar historical places related or associated with Manipur in the future, and share the stories to further strengthen unity and integrity of the state.

On the other-hand, DIPR APO (Admin) Ph Sheityamala recounted her career as a journalist and said that despite being far away from Manipur, this is for the first time that women journalists have been able to come and offer their condolences and tributes to the brave forefathers of the land.

Mention may be made here that an AMWJU team first visited Andaman in 2003 to trace the remnants of Maharaja Kulachandra.

The team went to Cellular Jail, then known as Kala Pani, which was constructed in 1906 though Maharaja Kulachandra and his aides were exiled in 1891.After a detailed investigation, it was found that the king was held captive at the then Mt Harriet.

The team found certain plants indigenous to Manipur growing there.

Another AMWJU team again visited the location in 2013 under the aegis of Department of Art and Culture, Manipur.

In October 17, 2021, Mt Harriet was renamed as Mt Manipur, as announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during one of his visits to Port Blair.

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