Manipur Governor La Ganesan extended his warm greetings to the people of the state on the birthday of freedom fighter and former chief minister, Manipur (L) M Koireng Singh on Sunday.
In his message, he stated that M Koireng Singh was a freedom fighter for India’ Independence during the Second World War and the first elected chief minister of Manipur. He was a born leader who loved his freedom and held his country and countrymen close to the heart, he stated. He felt strongly against the British colonial rule and teaming up with the advancing Indo-Japanese fighters, hoisted the Tricolour Flag for the first time in 1944 at Moirang under INA colonel Saukat Ali Malik.
Another notable contribution of M Koireng Singh during the war for Independence was that he along with his colleagues, in spite of heavy odds, made arrangements for feeding thousands of Azad Hind Fauz soldiers for three months while at Moirang and later on, the British branded him as a traitor and ordered shoot on sight, governor stated.
After India attained Independence, his love for the people and loyalty turned him into politics. He was thrice the chief minister of Manipur and his vision and farsightedness guided the state through the turbulent transition period, he mentioned. He remains a stalwart in the political arena of the state, often credited for ushering the state into the modern era. The people of the state owe a lot to this great son of the soil and we should all celebrate his birthday in a befitting manner, he added.
