Imphal, April 21 2009: THE BANNED Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) has said that as the Khongjom Day arrives, the souls of the martyrs were calling upon the people to unite, unity is strength.

"Let's always remember the history of defeat that came about owing to disunity amongst us.

Let's take the pledge of unity as the Khongjom Day comes," said T Leishemba, Secretary Publicity, RPF in a press release e-mailed to the press today.

Leishemba appealed to the masses to observe the sacred day of April 23 in remembrance and honour of those valiant forefathers who laid down their lives in trying to defend the independence and sovereignty of the motherland.

The RPF also appealed to the people to offer floral tributes at the memorial sites of the martyrs who laid down their lives for "our today" and spare a moment to eulogise their courage, spirit and sacrifice.

He appealed to the people to light lamps at every household gate and door in the evening.

Narrating the long chapter of the history in which Manipur lost independence and sovereignty to the then colonial British, Leishemba reminded that the battle of Khongjom which was fought on April 23 of 1891 was not a battle to defend the independence of Bharat.

Manipur lost her independence from April 25 that year.

He further stated that after the three columns of British captured the Manipur palace on April 27, Maxwell became the Chief Political Officer.

But in 1904, the first Nupi Lan was waged against the colonial rule of British.

After that Thoubal Lan (Battle of Thoubal-1913), Khongjai Lan (the Kuki Rebellion-1917-19), Jadonnang's movement (after 1921), Irabot's movement (after 1935), the Second Nupi Lan (1939), etc.

had occurred.

Then after Manipur was forcibly annexed to the Indian union in 1949, armed movement led by Hijam Irabot emerged.

Since then all the wars that followed, the revolutionary movement and the sacrifice of lives of the revolutionaries, etc.

are all the wars for restoration of independence and sovereignty of Manipur.

However, the rulers who have made class collaboration with the colonial masters have desecrated the sanctity of Khongjom river and the land, Leishemba stated.

A number of brave patriots sacrificed their lives for the motherland in the battle of Khongjom, T Leishemba recalled adding that they, in order to survive, had not bowed their heads and surrendered at the feet of the enemies.

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