CorCom salutes Nupi Lal fighters
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 10 2013: Recalling the courage and die-hard spirit of the Manipuri women who had fought vehemently against the mighty British rulers in the Nupi Lal (literally meaning Women's War) of 1939, the Coordination Committee (CorCom) of six proscribed outfits namely KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), RPF and UNLF has given its revolutionary salute to the great women fighters ahead of Nupi Lal observance on December 12 .

According to a statement of CorCom, Nupi Lal is one of the most remarkable events in the history of Manipur.

The courage of Manipuri women is incomparable to women in other parts of the world.

The first Nupi Lal happened in 1904 when the then Political Agent H St P Maxwell imposed collective punishment on Manipuri men in the aftermath of a devastating fire that gutted the bungalows of British officials.

The great uprising of Manipuri women against the Britishers ultimately led to the withdrawal of collective punishment.

Later, in the year 1939, Manipuri Women again rose to protest against artificial scarcity of rice in the State.

The women protestors demanded the then British rulers of Manipur to stop rice export and close down the mills.

Moreover, the people of Manipur at that time were disgruntled with various forms of government taxation.

On December 12, 1939, the brave women fighters stormed at the State Office and demanded President of Manipur State Durbar TA Sharpe to stop exporting rice from the State immediately.

The agitated women then surrounded Sharpe and Civil Surgeon Major PH Cummins near Telegraph Office.

Commandant of 4th Assam Rifles Major GFX Bulfield also rushed to the Telegraph Office to rescue the British officers.

However, Major Bulfied was kept surrounded by the women.

The irate women protestors also broke window panes of the Telegraph Office.

Soon after, a platoon of Assam Rifles arrived at the spot and began to charge upon the women with bayonets.

Many women lost their lives while fighting against the British troops.

The day has been written in golden letters in the history of Manipur, the CorCom said.

Further, it noted that Irom Chanu Sharmila and other women belonging to different tribes and communities are the proud daughters of Manipur.

The people are now under more oppressive rule than that of the British.

The courage of Nupi Lal fighters should be the beacon light towards the path of freedom and progress of Manipur, the CorCom added.

Comment