CorCom elucidates on Khongjom War's message
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 22 2021: On the occasion of the Khongjom War anniversary, the CorCom has called upon all the people of the land to ponder over the resolve of the Manipuri forefathers to fight against the mighty British empire notwithstanding the fact that they were much inferior in terms of weapons as well as number when compared to the British army.

Paying rich tributes to the Khongjom War heroes of Manipur, the CorCom questioned whether the war which changed the course of Manipur's history should be viewed as just another historical event.

A statement issued by the CorCom publicity committee asserted that the present generation ought to analyse the Khongjom War as well as the message given by Manipuri forefathers who valued freedom and dignity of the Nation much higher than their own lives, and try to explore answers to the many questions the Manipuri Nation is facing today.

"Although the population of Manipur (Kangleipak) was very small, our forefathers valiantly faced all the challenges posed by much larger and stronger neighbouring countries from time to time, and they successfully developed Manipur as a sovereign Nation", it said.

Freedom was the common religion of all the hill people and plain people who jointly developed Kangleipak as a sovereign Nation.

They were ever ready to sacrifice their lives to protect the freedom of Manipur and capitulation and bondage were something alien to the National character, it asserted.

Such was the National character on the culture of diligence, honesty, magnanimity, dignity, truthfulness to one's words and self reliance, the CorCom asserted.

One major factor for the Khongjom War was the British empire's interference into the internal affairs of Manipur.

Ultimately, the British empire invaded Manipur from three directions with three huge columns of army.

The invading forces met the fiercest resistance at Khongjom where thousands of Manipuri soldiers opted to fight for freedom to the last breath instead of living under bondage.

In the aftermath of the Second World War, a process of decolonisation started across the world and the British rulers left their colonies.

However, Manipur was allegedly annexed into the Indian Union on October 15, 1949, not long after it achieved freedom from the British empire.

For the last 71 years, Manipuri people have been living a wretched life under the alien rule of India, it alleged.

Apart from wresting total control of all aspects of life including politics, economy and social practices, the Government of India has been scheming to annihilate the whole Manipuri Nation and thus the National identity and character of Manipuri people have been destroyed.

Now majority of Manipuri people are more interested in personal benefits and they are least bothered for community welfare or National prestige, it remarked.

Although it was the hostility among Manipuri princes which invited British interference into the internal affairs of Manipur and ultimately led to the British occupation of Manipur, it is a fact that the Manipuri forefathers fought unitedly against the invading forces in the Anglo-Manipur War 1891.However, the present generation who have received modern education seemed to be not aware of the alleged colonial policies of India.

The electoral politics of India has been polarising the people of Manipur.

Many people are unable to differentiate between life of bondage and freedom, and they seem little concerned about the loss of National identity, the CorCom rued.

As a result of such attitude, the State's political classes, irrespective of whether they are in Opposition or ruling parties, have transformed the masses as a turf for their election battles in the midst of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, it said.

"It is a matter of grave concern that our own people have become accomplices/agents of the Government of India to such level", it remarked.

Asserting that the collective resolve of the present generation would determine the future of Manipuri Nation, the CorCom called upon all the indigenous communities of the land to work collectively in order to save themselves from extermination.

Only victory of the ongoing liberation movement will ensure protection of indigenous communities and the National identity, it claimed.

The CorCom then called upon all the indigenous communities to join and intensify the liberation movement for a new Manipur (Kangleipak) .

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