CORCOM pays respects matyred forefathers of Khongjom War
Source: IT News
Imphal, April 23 2018:
Conglomerate of rebel group operating in the region - CORCOM pay tribute and revolutionary homage to the martyrs who had laid down their lives in the Anglo-Manipur War 1981 .
In a statement released by media coordinator of the group, Ksh.
Yoiheiba, the CORCOM elaborated on how the war had occurred.
"The British colonisers back then, had their eyes on Manipur not because they had development in their mind, but wanted to gain a strong foothold towards the land and its neighbouring countries" the statement said.
Manipur being situated on a strategic location between China and India, the place was important to the British, it said.
There were many reasons as to why the British wanted to keep the place as a buffer zone, the release informed.
They wanted to set up trade relationships with British India and Burma and considered the place as important in making confrontations with the communities like Naga, Kuki and Mizo etc which were settling at the borders of the colonised land, it further informed.
The wanted to make Manipur as their own fortress in defence against Burma that was making challenges to their agenda and power , and to make confrontations with France that had started
showing strong interests at Indo-China borders, it said.
Manipur's existence as independent kingdom that lied between the colonised India and Burma, was a thorn in their side, it further said adding therefore, they made attempts to colonise Manipur by any means.
1890 gi September 21 da thokhiba Palace Revolution adugi khudong chaba louduna 1891 gi 24 March ta huraan lanna da Manipur(Kangleipak) gi mathakta British na laandasillkhi.
The first attempt was made in 18th century during a time when disputes existed amongst the royal family and there were invasions from the neighbouring countries that led King Bheigyachandra to seek the help of British, it said.
They took advantage of the situation
when the kingdom was facing a weak point, and tried to take over it slowly , the release said adding they further tried to take over the nation with force.
Taking advantage of the palace revolution that took place in September 21, 1890, the British
invaded Manipur from the backdoor on 24 March 1891, it continued.
As a result, five British officers including James Wallace and Grimwood were killed by the soldiers of Kangliepak, it said.
From that incident, a massive force of British army invaded the nation from three sides.
Subedar Paona Brajabashi and Chongtha Mia were appointed as major and with 400 soldiers; they were made to help defend the British invaders that came from Tamu side.
Major Paona and Major Chongtha Mia barricaded the western side of Khongjom River and fought the final battle of the war .
The battle at Khongjom sealed the fate of Kangliepak, and it showed how much brave forefathers of Manipur loved Kangleipak.
Many brave soldiers including Major Paona
Brajabashi and Chongtha Miya laid down their lives at the battle, the release added.
"The bullets of our enemies can reach us but ours cannot reach them.
We will not survive by turning our backs to flee, and we will not turn our backs," these words stated by Paona Major express the patriotism of the brave forefathers and their love for the motherland, it said.
More than 128 soldiers of Manipur gave their lives in the battlefield.
Knowing that there was no way of winning the battle as the enemy outnumbered both in soldiers and weapons, the khongjom war was such a battle in which the soldiers chose to fight instead of losing their independence, it further said.
The publicity committee, CorCom appeals the public to join hands
and try to follow the ideal of the ancestors so that the colonial rule of India can be completely rooted out from Manipur , it added.
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