CorCom: Khongjom war fought for Manipur's independence
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 23 2023: Apart from extending revolutionary salute to brave forefathers of the land who valiantly fought the British during the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891 popularly known as Khongjom Lan, the proscribed Coordination Committee (CorCom) has said that the forefathers fought the mighty British to protect sovereignty of Manipur (Kangleipak) and not for India's independence.

According to a CorCom statement, the battle Khongjom reminds people about patriotic spirit of forefathers of Manipur (Kangleipak) who paid more importance to saving the nation than their precious life and their sacrificing spirit is being widely acclaimed throughout the globe.

Just as bright stars give direction to stranded people, the battle of Khongjom still shines brightly in the pages of history with stories of Khongjom Lan spreading the patriotic spirit of the people of Manipur to every corner of the globe.

Though small number of Manipur (Kangleipak) soldiers fought the well-armed British soldiers, Khongjom war was not an easy battle.

Many brave soldiers of both hills and valley of Manipur (Kangleipak) fought the mighty British despite anticipating defeat and many of them sacrificed their lives for the nation.

This battle continues to ignite the spirit of patriotism and freedom to successive generations of Manipur (Kangleipak) as the sacrifices made are acknowledged as a big lesson to all, the CorCom statement issued by its publicity committee said.

While reminding the people that Khongjom war was not a battle for India's independence but to protect the sovereignty of Manipur (Kangleipak), the CorCom said that the rulers of the puppet government who had collaborated with the occupier corrupted the sa cred Khongjom river and the land.

According to CorCom, Manipur (Kangleipak) lost its sovereign status in the hands of the British on April 25, 1891 and three columns of British army captured the royal palace on April 27 the same year.

Maxwell became chief political officer for the British administration in Manipur (Kangleipak).

However, the fight against the colonial administration continued unabated and notable resistance movements were the first Nupi Lan of 1904, Jadonang movement (after 1921), Irabot's movement (after 1935) and second Nupi Lan of 1939 .

From Irabot's armed movement after India forcibly occupied Manipur (Kangleipak) in 1949, the struggle for restoring the lost sovereignty of Manipur (Kangleipak) continues unabated till date and sacrifices made by people are all against the occupier.

While maintaining that Manipur (Kangleipak) is yet to get freedom, CorCom said that Indian soldiers have killed and arrested many people at will while scores of women have been raped and their lives ended under the shadow of numerous draconian laws.

This condition will continue to prevail while the territory of Manipur (Kangleipak) continues to shrink day by day.

Unsatisfied with the divide & rule game played among indigenous people of land, the process of balkanization is being accelerated, CorCom said, adding that Manipur (Kangleipak) is about to be completely engulfed by outsiders coming from mainland India through their accommodation of surplus population policy.

The CorCom statement further said that there is no difference between the war fought by forefathers against the British and the present armed movement against India as the former was against white British occupier and the later against the Indian occupier.

However, Khongjom Lan left a strong message that all humans will die one day or the other but living humans have to struggle for freedom and this will be possible with collective efforts, it added.

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