A book presentation programme was held on Wednesday at the Court Hall of Manipur University, Canchipur in Imphal, during which Manipur Governor La Ganesan stressed that the people should have a strong sense of patriotism all the time.
The book ‘Unsung Anglo-Manipur War Heroes at Kalapani’ written by Sukhdeba Sharma Hanjabam and Aheibam Koireng Singh was presented to the governor and chief rector of the University by vice chancellor professor Naorem Lokendro Singh.
The governor said that freedom was gained from the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters in those days of colonial imperialism. The heroic contributions made by the departed souls should always be remembered and the country should be respected, he added.
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Manipur’s fight against the British forms an integral part of a series of struggles which the freedom loving people of India fought in different forms and in different parts of this country, he said. “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,” he maintained.
Governor Ganesan further said that after the defeat at 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 23 people including Maharaj Kulachandra were transported for life at Kalapani, Andaman, he said.
The transported Manipuri war heroes from Manipur were believed to have interned at a Bungalow at Mount Harriet now called Mount Manipur. They faced the horrific torture for the sake of Independence which is worth mentioning in these days, he said.
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Manipur’s last war of Independence also called 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 heros in the function.
The governor further appealed to the people to hoist Tiranga-National Tricolour to the entire households in the State and sing the National Anthem as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebration in the country.
Manipur University vice-chancellor professor N Lokendro Singh also spoke on the importance of documentation of participants of 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 organised by Manipur University Intellectual Forum of North East-Manipur and Manipur University Students’ Union.
