Our Correspondent
Imphal, August 13 (EMN): Patriot’s Day observation which reminds of the supreme sacrifices made by the martyrs in defending the sovereignty of Manipur was observed at various places in the state on Sunday.
Patriot’s Day was observed to pay homage to the freedom fighters of the Anglo-Manipur War in 1891. Manipur’s Yuvraj Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General were hanged on August 13, 1891, after Manipur’s defeat to the British forces at the Polo Ground here and ever since then, the Day is observed as Patriots’ Day every year.
State Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren, his cabinet colleagues, former deputy chief minister Gaikhangam, MLAs, top civil and police officials and people paid tribute to the freedom fighters of the state who fought against the British during the Anglo-Manipuri war at the memorial of Yubraj Tikendrajit at Hicham Yaicham Pat at Moirangkhom in the morning.
Later similar floral tribute ceremonies were also organised at the Thangal General Temple, Palace Compound in Imphal. Guard of Honour/ General Salute to the Martyrs of the state by the contingents of Manipur Rifles also marked this year’s Patriot’s day functions in Imphal.
Floral tributes were also held at Shaheed Minar, BT Park in Imphal where Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General were hung to death publicly on this day in 1891. A torch rally was also organised by women folk’s organisations to mark the day in the evening.
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president and MLA T Haokip and former chief minister O Ibobi led congress MLAs and leaders also observed the patriots day at congress Bhavan in Imphal. United Naga Council president Gaidon Kamei and Naga People’s organisation President Moses led the people in Senapati district in observing the day at Thanga memorial park at Mayangkhang, 55 km north of Imphal on Sunday. Manipur Peope’s Party also observed the day.
The Patriots’ Day was also observed at Dhalpukhri in Assam’s Hojai where a statue of Bir Tikendrajit was inaugurated jointly by Manipur Assembly Speaker Yumnam Khemchand and forest minister Th Shyakumar as part of the function organised by the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad Assam,District Committee, Hojai. One minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to the supreme sacrifices made by the martyrs of the historic Anglo-Manipuri War, 1891.
