IMPHAL, August 12: The Coordination Committee, CorCom, a conglomerate of several proscribed underground organisations KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), RPF & UNLF in statement handed out to the media signed by its media coordinator, H Poirei, has greeted the “oppressed people of Manipur” and has paid revolutionary salute to the martyrs who have laid down their lives while defending the sovereignty of the land from “Indian colonialism”.
It said from time immemorial, Manipur was an independent kingdom in Southeast Asia, and respected by other countries in spite of its small size and population. But in 1890 expansionist British started interfering in the affairs of the kingdom.
The existence of Manipur as a free kingdom surrounded by countries like India and Burma was a pain in the neck to the imperialist British, it said.
The statement continued that on March 24, 1891, the British along with its army attacked prince Koireng during the night in which so many innocent people including women and children were hurt. This was the imperialist’s attempt to keep Manipur under their grip. But the imperialist’s armies were defeated by the native army. As retaliation, JW Quinton along with 5 British officers were beheaded in front of Kangla Uttra.
Further it said the British attacked Manipur from three sides in the 1891 ‘Anglo-Manipuri war’ and Manipur was defeated. Thangal General and prince Koireng were convicted with false charge of ‘waging war against the Queen’, and they were hanged on August 13, 1891 at Pheidabung, along with Niranjan Subedar, Chirai Thangal and Pukhrambam Kajao at different places.
It said the day has been observed as ‘Athoubasinggi Ningsing Numit’ to give respect to those forefathers who laid down their lives with smile on their faces, without any fear even though the might of the enemy was overwhelming. It was a symbol of courage and strength of our people, who were small in number but resistant to any form of subjugation or oppression, and a belief that the love for sovereignty of one’s motherland was supreme,” the release further said.