Jadonang awakened indigenes: CorCom
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 27 2024: The proscribed Coordination Committee (CorCom), a conglomerate of underground groups operating in Manipur and WESEA region, has extended revolutionary salute to Haipou Jadonang on the occasion of the late Zeliangrong leader's 93rd death anniversary, which falls on August 29 .

According to a CorCom statement, freedom loving different indigenous people living together in Manipur (Kangleipak) since time immemorial fought the colonial British at different points of time for restoration of Manipur's sovereignty.

However, a collective history for movement/war waged or fought by different indigenous people of the land against the colonial British is still lacking due to false narratives of such movements/wars by local experts having colonial mindset.

Indigenous communities of Manipur (Kangleipak) have different names but folk tales and written histories have clearly proven common origin and existence.

Haipou Jadonang was a true patriotic leader who not only waged intense movement against the British but also awakened the Zeliangrong people to unite and fight for their rights.

With the coming of great leader's 93rd death anniversary, the responsibility shouldered by Haipou Jadonang for Zeliangrong people is being renewed afresh, the CorCom statement said.

The statement issued by its publicity committee further said that Haipou Jadonang laid the foundation for political unity and strength of the Zeliangrong community comprising smaller ethnic groups namely the Zemei, Liangmei and Rongmei inhabiting the western region of Manipur particularly Tamenglong, as well as North Cachar and some area in Nagaland.

Haipou Jadonang was born as second son to Thuidai and Tabonliu of Kambiron village in Tamenglong in 1905 and grew up as a courageous and patriotic person.

He stood against torture of innocent civilians in the hills, forced labour, house tax imposed by the then colonial British.

His firm stand against violation of human rights evolved into a collective movement for the Zeliangrong people to free from the colonial British.

Jadonang began his movement with a cultural/religious revolution which gradually took the shape of a movement to drive out imperialist British from the land.

Soon, the British took serious note of Jadonang's movement and began to look for him.

On the charge of challenging an order of the British, Jadonang was arrested by the then SDO of North West Sub-Division, Tamenglong SJ Duncan in 1928 and lodged in Tamenglong jail for one week.

Unable to file any valid charge against him, Jadonang was released from jail and he continued his movement and initiated several programmes to drive out British through religious and cultural movement.

Jadonang was finally arrested from Binakandi (Cachar) on February 19, 1928 on the charge of killing four Meetei betel leaf traders at Kambiron.

He was then brought to Imphal on March 29, 1931, sent to jail and hanged till death in the early hours of August 29, 1931 at the age of just 26 years, the CorCom recounted and extended revolutionary salute to Haipou Jadonang.

The statement further said that tribute to the legendary Zeliangrong leader would be meaningful when people work to fulfil what the late patriot had envisioned and propagated.

Significance of Jadonang's movement against the British and the supreme sacrifice he made for his motherland are to secure the future generation, the CorCom said.

While reminding that the movement launched by Jadonang instilled the spirit of patriotism among the people, the Committee called upon people of both hills and valley of Manipur (Kangleipak) to follow the path shown by courageous forefathers of the land like Jadonang to defeat India and restore the lost sovereign status of Manipur.

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