Imphal: Manipur Governor La. Ganesan has reiterated that there should be “a strong sense of patriotism with us all the time”.
He was speaking at a book presentation function held at the Court Hall of Manipur University Wednesday. The book namely “Unsung Anglo-Manipur War Heroes at Kalapani” written by Sukhdeba Sharma Hanjabam & Aheibam Koireng Singh was presented to the descendants of Anglo-Manipur War Heroes by the Governor in the function.
Speaking to the gathering, the Governor said, “We got freedom from the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters in those days of colonial imperialism and the heroic contributions made by the departed souls should always be remembered and we should respect our country”.
Manipur’s fight against the British forms an integral part of a series of struggles that the freedom-loving people of India fought in different forms and in different parts of our country. He continued that “the heroic people of Manipur fought shoulder to shoulder with their fellow countrymen for freedom of our motherland. Manipur’s last war of Independence in 1981 is a testimony to this”.
The Governor further said that after the defeat in Anglo-Manipur War in 1891, Maharaj Kulachandra and many other prominent leaders including Yuvraj Tikendrajit and Thangal General were also arrested and charged for waging war against the Queen Empress and abatement of murdering British Officers. Five of them were hanged and twenty-three people including Maharaj Kulachandra were transported for life at Kalapani, Andaman.
The transported Manipuri war heroes from Manipur were believed to have interned at a Bungalow at Mount Harriet now called Mount Manipur. They faced horrific torture for the sake of Independence which is worth mentioning in these days. Manipur’s last war of Independence also called the Anglo-Manipur war was fought in 1891. The historic and glory battle took place at Khongjom in which the brave sons of Manipur laid down their lives almost to the last man, he added.
The Governor also thanked the authors for their relentless efforts to keep these rare and invaluable records intact for the present and future generations of the State in particular and the Nation in general. He also felicitated the descendents of the War heroes in the function. Governor appealed to people to hoist Tiranga-National Tricolour to the entire household in the State and sing the National Anthem as a part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mohatsav celebration in the country.
Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University, Professor N. Lokendro Singh, also spoke on the importance of documentation of participants of the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 and expressed hope that writers will continue their efforts in this direction. Faculty members, researchers, and students attended the function which was organized by Manipur University Intellectual Forum of North East-Manipur and Manipur University Students’ Union.
