CorCom pays tributes to martyrs
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 12, 2014: On the occasion of observance of Patriots' Day, the Coordination Committee of six proscribed revolutionary organisations (KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), RPF & UNLF) has paid revolutionary salute to the martyrs of this land who made supreme sacrifices for the independence of the motherland.

In a press statement of the joint body made available to the media today, the CorCom conveyed its message to the people of Manipur to unitedly work for protecting their own indigenous characters and heighten the revolutionary war on the ideals of the brave forefather freedom fighters against the alleged colonial designs of India which have led to deterioration in all spheres and even to extent of extinction of indigenous groups.

From the early times, Manipur (Kangleipak) has remained a small but independent kingdom at the western side of South-East Asia, said the statement adding, 'by 1890, the British Colonialist began to interfere in the administration of the kingdom'.

This was because of the fact that Manipur posed as a barrier to the imperial administration of British who had spread its sway over Indian sub-continent as well as most parts of Burma, it explained.

CorCom recalled, "While trying to forcibly annex Manipur, the British soldiers waged the secret war against Manipur during the midnight of March 24, 1891 to arrest Ningthemcha Koireng who had gallantly stood against them.

During the war, a number of innocent people including women and children were killed and many houses burnt".

However, the Manipuri soldiers gave a befitting reply to British soldiers who waged the clandestine war against Manipur.

After overpowering the the British Residency, Manipuri soldiers beheaded six British officers including J..WQuinton in front of 'Uttra Saa' at Kangla, the statement said while giving a detailed account that led to the Anglo-Manipuri war of 1891. Following the incident, the British invaded Manipur from three sides and it led to conquest of the independent kingdom by the Britishers, CorCom said.

The statement further recounted, 'following an unfair trial, the two brave patriots Thangal General and Ningthoumacha Koireng were publicly hanged on charges of waging war against Queen Victoria of England on August 13, 1891 at Pheidabung.

Based on the wrong allegations of waging war against the British, Pukhrambam Kajao, Niranjan Subedar and Chirai Thangal were also hanged on different days, it continued.

CorCom said the present generation remembers the gallant patriots by observing the day as 'Athoubasinggi Ningsing Numit' to mark their relentless fight for the motherland against the mighty British empire.

Following the forcible annexation of Manipur by India on 21 September 1949, Manipur lost its independence in political, economic and social spheres, alleged CorCom.

The joint body called upon the people saying, "On the occasion of 'Athoubasinggi Ningsing Numit', let us redefine the true meaning of freedom and take our responsibility for the motherland by emulating the ideals of the brave forefathers".

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