Newmai News Network
IMPHAL, April 23
Manipur today paid tributes to its heroes on the occasion of Khongjom Day commemorating the anniversary of Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891.
In the morning, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh led the people in offering floral tributes to the martyrs during the function held at Kheba hillock, Khongjom under Thoubal district. They also offered tarpan in the Khongjom river in honour of the martyrs.
The state government observes the day every year at Khongjom with a grand state function. A contingent of 1stManipuri Rifles (MR) gave a gun salute to the martyrs who had sacrificed their lives in protecting the independence of Manipuri kingdom. The British defeated Manipur in the historic war, which led to the loss of its sovereignty.
CM Ibobi, Deputy CM Gaikhangam, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, ministers, MLAs, a host of state officials and thousands of people from across the state offered wreaths at the statue of Major Paona Brajabashi located on the foot of Kheba Ching.
The Anglo-Manipuri War brought to an end after the death of Major Paona who led the Manipuri army at the Khongjom battle. The Manipur side lost 400 warriors in the historic battle at Khebaching.
At 3 pm, President Pranab Mukherjee paid homage to the departed villain heroes of Manipur who fought their ditch battle against the British at Khongjom, the last great battle of Anglo-Manipuri War.
Mukherjee was the chief guest of the occasion. He paid floral tribute to all war heroes and offered tarpan in the Khongjom river on the occasion. Besides, he inaugurated a huge war monument at the former battlefield dedicating to the martyrs.
In a brief speech at the event, Mukherjee lauded the courage of known and unknown great Manipuris who had made supreme sacrifices in Anglo-Manipuri War.
He said the British East India Company became the ruler of vast track of great India after the Battle of Plassey, 1757. The President recounted how the imperialist British conquered the whole of India in the course of time.
In his presidential speech, Manipur Governor V Shamuganathan stated that India was liberated for the first time in Manipur when Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisted the Indian tricolour flag at Moirang in Bishnupur district in 1944.
He hailed the Manipuri culture, dance and music and said, “Everything in Manipur is wonderful.”
But the Governor stressed on the need for more education and more employment for the people of Manipur for their all-round development.
During the function, CM Ibobi while welcoming Mukherjee and all participants said, “We shall not discriminate anyone on the ground of caste, ethnicity and religion. We should look forward. Every citizen of the state needs to be looked after by my government.
Ibobi said the ambitious Act East Policy of Government of India would boost Manipur’s economy.
Militant group CorCom boycotted the Manipur visit by President to pay homage to the Manipuri heroes at the event. The strike hit normal life in the state. But no unwanted incidents were reported.
The outfit, a conglomerate of several underground organisations, claimed that Mukherjee’s participation in the function aimed at showing the heroes of Anglo-Manipuri War as freedom fighters of India.
