CorCom salutes Khongjom Laan heroes
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 22 2025: The proscribed Coordination Committee (CorCom), the conglomerate of armed organisations operating in Manipur and WESEA region, extended its highest honour and saluted warriors who laid down their lives in the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891 .

According to a CorCom statement issued on the eve of the 134th anniversary of 'Khongjom Laan Numit', which falls on April 23 (Wednesday), there is nothing more important and valuable than freedom as showcased by the indomitable spirit of the people of Manipur (Kangleichas) to live independently to the world in the Anglo-Manipuri War better known as Khongjom Laan locally.

Remembering the brave warriors who sacrificed their lives for the motherland in the battle of Khongjom, the CorCom, while honouring sacrificing spirit of the forefathers, said that the reason behind poorly armed forefathers (Kangleichas) taking on the might of the well-armed British soldiers in-spite of aware about imminent defeat was nothing but to prove to the world that freedom of the motherland is above everything else, and also to pass down their indomitable spirit of patriotism to revolutionaries and future generations.

This highly valued history also testified that 'Kangleichas' never wanted to live under submission to bigger communities.

The CorCom statement issued by the publicity committee further said that Anglo-Manipuri Laan of 1891 was a mass war for safeguarding territory and sovereignty of Manipur preserved by blood of the brave Kanglei forefathers for centuries.

Apart from sacrifices made by the brave forefathers, the war was fought with sacrificing spirit of Kanglei women who sent their young and un-matured warriors like Sengoisana, Heirangkhongja and Chinglensana to protect the motherland despite knowing about their fate.

Unfortunately, after Paona Major and other brave Kanglei warriors were slain in the Khongjom battle and Kanglei leaders fell into the hands of the mighty British, the advancing Silchar Column of British force led by Lt Col RHF Rennick along with two columns from Kohima and Tamu completely occupied Kangla on the 18th day of Meetei calendar month of Sajibu (April 27, 1891) .

Manipur (Kangleipak) suffered loss at the hands of the British but they could not defeat Kanglei people's spirit and thought of freedom and patriotism.

The war indeed was a victory for Kanglei people's heroism and 1891 Laan of Kanglei people also showcased to the global people that sacrifice is the only responsibility humans have to shoulder to live independently.

The 1891 Laan was an extraordinary act of courage against colonial aggression and a fight to preserve the dignity, identity and culture of the Kanglei people, it said.

The CorCom then called upon people irrespective of communities to rise above divisions and remember the unity of Khongjom Laan warriors to carry forward their legacy as a movement for dignity and justice.

While acknowledging the valour of Khongjom Laan warriors, the CorCom said that Manipur (Kangleipak) suffered huge defeat in the war fought 134 years ago but it is now being recognised as a powerful symbol of patriotism and self-determination for the Kanglei people.

The Khongjom battle thus became an eternal message for future generations to value unity, resist oppression and to never forget importance of freedom, the CorCom said.

Even though different communities took part and fought the mighty British in the 1891 Khongjom Laan, the inability to gather and form a collective force of hills and valley people was the main reason for Manipur (Kangleipak) suffering defeat in the battle.

This is the invaluable lesson the historic Khongjom Laan taught to contemporary revolutionaries.

Unless the mistake of disunity and making friend with enemy unknowingly are rectified, and the adversaries are fought with sense of unity, the future of indigenous communities of Manipur (Kangleipak) cannot be determined, the CorCom cautioned and stressed the need for taking a collective decision to rectify the mistakes with the coming of the historic day so that the path of revolutionary movement go in the right tract.

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