IMPHAL, August 11: On the auspicious occasion of “Athoubasinggi Ningsing Numit” (Patriots’ Day) on August 13, CorCom, the collective body of seven militants groups, KCP, KYKL, PREPAK (PRO), RPF, UNLF and UPPK, has saluted the martyrs of the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891.
According to a statement of CorCom, Manipur was one among the sovereign Nations in South East Asia. Based on the foundation of a closely knit relationship among the different ethnic groups, Manipur established its own identity and traditions more than 5000 years back. Fighting bold against all external aggression, ancestors of the present Manipur succeeded in keeping the Nation free.
The Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 was one of the most remarkable wars of independence fought against European colonial powers in South East Asia like those of Cambodia and the Philippines.
In 1891, after the British won the battle over Manipur in Khongjom, Koireng Yubaraj and Thangal General were hung to death in public at Pheidabung on August 13, 1891. Earlier on May 25, Pukhramba Fingang alias Kajao was hung to death, Niranjan Subedar on June 8 and Chirai Thangal on October 13 later in the same year.
In remembrance of the martyrs of Anglo-Manipur War in 1891, August 13 was selected as the main day for the observation of the ‘Athouba Ningsing Numit’. Since then people has been observing the day.
The CorCom asserted that this death anniversary observance was never a part of the Indian freedom movement. If this annual event is forcibly termed as a part of the Indian freedom movement, the very essence and spirit of observing Patriots’ Day would simply disappear.