Manipuris observe Patriots’ Day throughout nation

IMPHAL, August 13: The Patriots’ Day was widely observed in the state today in commemoration of the sacrifices of the martyrs of the state.

Governor, Gurbachan Jagat laying wreaths at the BT park  during the Patriots’ Day observation  on Monday  .

The official state observation was held at Bir Tikendrajit park this evening. After laying wreaths to the martyrs monument located at Kangla Uttra, the Governor Gurbachan Jagat and Chief Minister O Ibobi accompanied by his Cabinet Ministers and other MLAs proceeded from Kangla by foot and reached Bir Tikendrajit park.

The VIPs offered floral tribute at the Shaheed Minar and a general salute was given by a contingent of the Manipur Rifles.

Later, a function was held with the Governor as the chief guest and the Chief Minister as the president.

The Governor in his address stated that the Patriots’ Day is celebrated to pay befitting homage to the brave sons of Manipur, who made the supreme sacrifice on this day, a hundred and twenty years ago.

He said that the day reminds the people of one of the heroic acts of the Manipuris both known and unknown who fought at different fronts of the Anglo Manipuri War and exemplified that freedom can never be traded away nor conceded at any cost and under any circumstances.

He mentioned that freedom was lost in 1891 mainly due to disunity and dissenting attitude among the princes.

“It is a fact of history that foreign powers always take advantage of prevailing disunity and factionalism in other countries in order to subjugate them”, he said.

On another note, the Governor observed that the State is facing problems of ethnic and social tensions, extortions, abduction for ransom, senseless killings due to inter rivalries and violence against civilians still continue to be a matter of serious concern. “Calling of strikes and bandhs including economic blockade have become a frequent phenomenon, the sufferers are the common people and such practices should be avoided in the interest of the common man. I am confident that the public will extend their fullest co-operation to the Government to maintain peace and harmony in the State”, he said.

Speaking at the occasion O Ibobi in his speech mentioned that the day has been observed to pay respect to the martyrs who sacrificed themselves in opposing the British empire at the Anglo-Manipur war of 1891.

“The indomitable spirit of the Manipuris will never erode, the day is marked as an occasion to bring together the various communities and for the spirit of independence”, he said.

The function was attended by the chief secretary, DGP and other top officials of the state.

The program was also held in the morning and floral tributes were paid at Hicham Yaichampat, Moirangkhom and at the complex of Thangal General Temple.

The day was also observed at all district headquarters including at Ukhrul, Thoubal, Senapati and Chandel.


Delhi observes Patriots’ Day

 Manipur government observed the Patriots` Day celebration at the Manipur Tikendrajit House, Bir Tikendrajit Marg,  Chanakyapuri here this morning.

Three photographs of Paona Brajabasi, Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General were decorated at the base of the statue of Bir Tikendrajit where a large number of Manipuris from the National Capital Region paid their homage to the great patriots of Manipur who fought against the mighty Britishers and sacrificed their lives for the cause of their motherland.

The Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Thokchom Lokeshwar Singh led the VVIPs and public while paying floral tributes to the great patriots.

Two minutes silence was observed as a mark of respect to the departed souls.

Sitting Lok Sabha members Dr Thokchom Meinya and Thangso Baite, Rajya Sabha member Rishang Keishing,  Manipur Legislative Assembly member from Naoria Pakhanglakpa  constituency RK Anand and former Ministers V Hangkhalian and Vivek Raj Wangkhem were among those dignitaries who paid floral tributes to the martyrs.

August 13 is a red-letter day in the history of Manipur as on this fateful day in 1891, the two great patriots, namely Bir Tikendrajit, the prince of Manipur and General Thangal were hanged in broad daylight by the British in the presence of thousands of men and women at Pheidapung, Imphal Outer Pologround, as these heroes had defended the freedom of Manipur against the British.

Subedar Niranjan, Kajao Singh Jamadar alias Pukhramba Phingang and Charai Thangal of Mayangkhang were also hanged till death on June 8, May 25 and October 15 in the same year inside the Imphal jail on similar charge of waging war against the Empress on India, the British Crown.

The death sentences passed on to the Regent Kulachandra and Angousana, but the Governor General, however, commuted the death sentence passed on the Maharaja and the Prince Angousana who were sent in exile for life to Kalapani (Andaman) along with 20 martyrs for waging war against the British Empress.

The British action in Manipur culminating in the occupation of the kingdom and the execution of 35-year old Tikendrajit and 80-year old General Thangal created a great sensation in Bengal . Barrister Monomohon Ghosh fought like a lion in the case against Tikendrajit and Kulachandra. The people of Bengal in particular had great sympathy for the unfortunate princes of Manipur who were the victims of British conspiracy.

The stand taken by Tikendrajit and his martyrdom continued to be a source of inspiration to the revolutionaries of India`s freedom movement. Years later, the government of free India , as suggested by Arun Chandra Guha, included the portrait of Bir Tikendrajit in the National Portrait Gallery inside the House of the People in New Delhi .

Born on December 29, 1856, the Prince Bir Tikendrajit Singh sone of Maharaj Chandrakirtee and Chongtham Chanu Kousheswari Devi was brought up in the classical Asian traditions of an Independent State. Tikendrajit exhibited sound qualities of leadership was notable for his love for Manipur's freedom and dignity. He raised banner of resistance against imperialism when the British Empire attempted to aggressively incorporate independent states in the Eastern Himalayan Region. He was tried for waging war against the Queen Empress and was hanged along with Thangal General on August 13, 1891.

Bir Tikendrajit Marg in Chanakyapuri here which was named after Bir Tikendrajit Singh, the great patriot of Manipur passed through where several State Guest houses namely Tamil Nadu House, Andaman Nicober House, Rajasthan, State Guest House, Arunachal House, Goa Niwas, Bihar Sadan and Manipur Tikendrajit House, and became a remarkable lane in the National capital.