Imphal, December 11 2008: Dwelling on the significance of the two Nupi Lans on the eve of Nupi Lan today, the women's wing of the RPF has called upon all to get ready for a third Nupi Lan so as to uproot the alien rule and restore the lost sovereignty of the land.

In a statement, the women's wing said that after the Cold War, today there are three issues that have grabbed the attention of the world.

The first is empowering women, the second protecting the ecological balance and the third the war within a country.

The third issue has cropped up because of the uprising of a number of people to demand their right to self determination, it said and added that it is along this line that the conflict has arisen in Manipur and other parts of North East India.

The uprisings in the past were also always against the alien rule and against the tyrannic and despotic rule of the Kings.

This trend still continues today, said the outfit.

Citing examples the outfit said that the first Nupi Lan of 1904, the second Nupi Lan of 1939, Jadonang movement from 1921, Kuki rebellion from 1917 to 1919, Thoubal war in 1912, Irabot movement from 1934 were all against the alien rule as well as against the tyranny of the then Kings.

The first Nupi Lan of 1904 was not merely an act of burning down some residences of British officers, said the outfit and added it was largely linked to some prominent factors.

In short it was the explosion of the pent up fury of the people of Manipur, observed RPF and elaborated that the first reason could be traced to the manner in which the British installed the minor Churachand Singh to the throne so that it can continue with its rule.

The second factor was the confiscation of 400 guns from the people of Manipur, the forcible labour without payment of wages, the imposition of taxes to the tune of Rs 50,000 wherein every household from the valley had to pay Rs 2 while in the hills it was Rs 3 per household.

Adding to the anger of the people was the export of tonnes rice from Manipur to Kohima by British officers.

Unable to take it anymore, the enraged people revolted and burnt down 28 sheds and 3 British bungalows at Khwairamband bazar, recalled the outfit.

After the revolt, Major Maxwell added salt to wounds by ordering that the burnt down structures should be rebuilt with timbers from Kabo valley.

The people took a collective decision not to follow the order of Major Maxwell following which six princess were taken captive, said RPF.

Major Maxwell also ordered that the six princess should be expelled from Manipur.

Enraged by the high-handedness of the British, the women folk launched the first Nupi Lan in 1904, added the outfit.

Likewise the second Nupi Lan was launched on December 12, 1939.The reason was the artificial shortage of rice created by the British who took away all the produce of the land.

The two Nupi Lans were launched not only to protest the scarcity of rice but were also a protest against alien rule and against the excesses, said RPF and added that the meira paibi movement launched after 1980 is also a movement against the alien rule of India.

As such the women wing of the outfit urged the womenfolk to get ready for a third Nupi Lan to uproot the alien rule.

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