CorCom pays homage to valiant Manipuri women
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 10 2013:
Recounting events that led to Nupi Lan, the women's uprising that changed the course of Manipur's history, CorCom has paid fitting homage to the valiant manipuri womenfolk of the past who fought against British rulers and also the present day women activists who are fighting against all sorts of repressive measures unleashed by the Government of India.
A statement issued by the Coordination Committee (CorCom) of KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), RPF and UNLF observed that the first uprising by the Manipuri womenfolk against the anti-people policies of the then British rulers in 1904 and again in 1939 were not exclusively women or for economic factors alone but were waged by Manipuri women representing Manipur (Kangleipak) against the colonial rule.
In the night of March 15, 1904, a bungalow occupied by Political Agent P Maxwell's assistant Dunlop and Captain Nuttal caught fire.
On July 6, 1904, Khwairamband Nupi Keithel caught fire.
On August 4, 1904 Executive Engineer Mitchell's house used as the second home by Captain Nuttal and Dunlop also caught fire.
For the first and third infernos, Political Agent Maxwell blamed the nearby villagers and issued an order on September 2, 1904 asking the villagers to construct the two bungalows destroyed by fire anew by bringing all the materials.
Manipur women came out in thousands and they not only defied the order but also forced the Political Agent to withdraw his order.
This was the Nupi Lan of 1904 .
On account of the Manipuri women's mass uprising, Maxwell was compelled to abolish the practice of offering tributes as well as the system of 'Collective Punishment of Manipuri men', said the CorCom.
In the second historic uprising, the womenfolk launched protests against export of rice from Manipur as large scale export led to severe shortage of food grain to such an extent that the people faced starvation-like situation although it was harvesting season.
On December 12, 1939 a large number of Manipur women marched to the State Office and asked Manipur State Durbar president TA Sharpe to stop rice export immediately.
The womenfolk also prevented Sharpe, Civil Surgeon Major PH Cummins and some other officers from leaving Telegraph Office.
Soon after, Assam Rifles, 4th Bn Commandant Major GFX Bulfield came to the office to rescue the Durbar President and other officers but he too was held captive by the womenfolk.
Acting on information passed by Bulfield, a platoon of Assam Rifles rushed to the area at around 2.45 pm.
This only added fuel to the raging situation and in the next moment Manipur women started pelting stones at the Telegraph Office .
Assam Rifles personnel rushed out and bayoneted the unarmed women but the agitation women did not retract a single step.
Many of the injured women were thrown into pond whose water was freezing for it was December (Wakching) .
The womenfolk stood firm and went on shouting the slogans "Close down mills; stop rice export" .
It was during this period that Princess Khomdonsana, wife of Lamyanba Irabot went to Guwahati with some members of the Nikhil Manipuri Mahasabha and talked with Congress leaders to support the people's movement in Manipur and secure Lamyanba Irabot's release who was imprisoned by British rulers in connection with the same uprising.
In spite of all the repressive measures unleashed by the colonial regime, the twin force of colonialism and feudalism were vanquished by the people's movement, CorCom asserted.
The underlying message of Nupi Lan is, people's movement can certainly defeat the alien rule.
British rulers have left Manipur but they have been replaced by a more wicked alien rule and rulers.
The enhanced repression by the Indian Government and its military has multiplied the significance of Nupi Lan all the more.
On the occasion of the Nupi Lan which falls on December 12, the committee paid homage to Nura Temshingnabi Irom Sharmila as well as all women activists of the valley and hills.
As long as the inspiration given by the Nupi Lan is there, the revolutionary movement would continue to grow, CorCom added.
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