Our Correspondent
Imphal, Dec. 12 (EMN): Remembering the two historic Nupi Lan (Women’s War) of 1904 and 1939 waged by Manipuri women against mass exploitation and artificial famine triggered by the British imperialists, the 79th Nupi Lan (Women’s War) Day was widely observed here on Wed. Dec. 12.
The state level observation was held in front of the Nupi Lan Memorial Complex, Imphal on Wednesday.
The state Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar attended the observation as chief guest and president.
Addressing the observation, chief minister Biren said that the government is giving empowerment to women practically. To prevent from crime against women, one special fast track court was constituted on priority basis for the first time in the history of Manipur and also convicted more than 10 culprits.
To expose their talents fully, three women in secretary level, five as deputy commissioners, nine as COs and SPs, 10 as additional SPs are rendering and contributing their service for the state presently. Besides, the state is giving free education for school dropout girl students from class IX to XII in government schools, he added.
However despite having women’s participation in the panchayat levels, there is less participation of women as legislators in the state assembly. He appealed to the women folks to join politics particularly in the Legislative Assembly election adding that there is need of women’s role in law making body.
On the other hand the chief guest informed the gathering the government is thinking of naming Keishampat to Sanjenthong route in Imphal as ‘Nupi Lan Road’ in giving recognition to the courageous women’s movement in the past. In this regard, the government will take a cabinet decision soon, he said.
In his presidential speech, deputy chief minister highlighted the history of the first and second Nupi Lan where the womenfolk fought against the order of bringing woods from Burma for new construction of assistant political agent’s residence in 1904 and again against the export of rice in 1939.
“We can take today’s Meira Paibi movement as continuation of the first and second Nupi Lan for saving the society and men folk by our women community,” he said.
Earlier the chief minister and deputy chief minister led the people in laying floral tributes to the Nupi Lan memorial complex. A play on Nupi Lan was also performed by joint artistes of Nupee Lan Memorial Association and Nupee Lal & Khongjom War Memorial Society, the artistes of Bal Mukunda Dev Government Music College. Earlier a nupi lan run was also held in Imphal. There are also reports observing the day at many places.
