Kukis observe Rising Day
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, October 17 2021: The 104th anniversary of Kuki Rising (Anglo-Kuki War) 1917-1919 and the first commemoration of declaring Kuki Rising Day as restricted holiday were held on Sunday at KR Park, C Aisan village in Saikiil subdivision of Kangpokpi district.

Prominent Kuki figures, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) functionaries led by its president Khaimang Chongloi and leaders of Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills and Saikul, KSO Sadar Hills and Saikul apart from village chiefs and local populace attended the observance.

Fitting homage and tribute were paid to the gallant and patriotic spirit of the Kuki warriors who stood firmly against the mighty British soldiers defying the imposition of forced labour during the WW-I.In his keynote address, Anglo-Kuki War Commemoration Committee chairman Jangmang Haokip exhorted Kuki community to march forward in unity by keeping aside the various differences while thanking chief minister N Biden Singh and his government for declaring October 17, the Kuki Rising Day, as a restricted holiday.

KIM president Khaimang Chongloi also said that it indeed a proud moment for Kuki community that the state government has recognised the longest war fought against the British in Manipur namely Anglo-Kuki War as Kuki Rising apart from declaring October 17 as restricted holiday.

Khaimang also narrated the brief history of Kuki Rising (Anglo-Kuki War) 1917-1919 and maintained that the war waged by the Kukis against the British manifested the one indigenous major armed uprising'.

He continued that the war was the most epochal event in the history of Manipur under the British rule and its relation with the hill people.

It is a combination of both opposition and confrontation posed by the Kukis against the onslaught of the mighty British imperialist.

The Anglo-Kuki War 1917-19 is a historically indelible and incontrovertible war fought between a world power and a little backward ethnic community, which the world hardly knew.

The brave fight against the British imperialists has been vicariously known as 'Khongjailaan' by the Meiteis, 'Thadou Gaal' by the Thadou-Kukis and "Zou Gaal" by the Zous, who are mainly from Churachandpur district.

This shows that the war waged against the British was not confined only to the Thadou Kukis but also the Zous and other kindred tribes of Kuki-Chin group.

In Manipur, it was officially recorded as the 'Kuki Punitive Measures' and subsequently as the Kuki Rebellion .

Besides, British archival sources and Oriental collections recorded the event as 'The Kuki Rising, 1917-19'.It shows that it is not merely a rebellion but more than that and the event was called 'Gaal' which literally means 'war', he added.

Kuki Gospel Artistes Association members enthralled the crowd with their melodious voice during the programme which ended with a vote of thanks from KIM vice president Hemjathang Khongsai.

Comment