IMPHAL, January 17: Contending that that the Khongjom was actually taken place on April 25 not 23, while referring to the British records, Padmashri RK Jhalajit Singh has urged the State Government to set up an expert committee to ascertained the truth of the Khongjom War.
RK Jhalajit Singh, made the statement during the death anniversary observation of Major Chongtha Mia the Commander of the Khongjom Battle 1891, entitled as ‘Ahanba Chongtha Mia Ningsing Thouram’ observed by Khongjom Battle Memorial Celebration Committee, Manipur and the United Chongthas, Imphal.
Further addressing the gathering, Padmashri RK Jhalajit Singh, retired Principal of LMS Law College, asserted that as per the British record the Khongjom War was fought on April 25, 1981 not April 23 as perceived today.
According to him April 23, 1981, citing the British accounts, was the day when a sword wielding man who charged towards the British camp built on the top of Kheba Ching, was killed. The man was later found out to be Paona Brajabashi, said Jhalajit.
The retired principal, further maintained that it was recorded that on April 24 there was no fighting as the British army was awaiting order from their higher authority for the war and added that record also mentioned that among the war in Asia, Africa the Khongjom War was one of the fiercest.
Citing the accounts, he urged the state to take necessary measure to rectify the error of falsely commemorating the historic event.
RK Jhalajit contended that the Government as well as the people have been paying their tribute to the martyr at the wrong before claiming that he could pin point the exact place.
He continued that the war took placed on April 25, 1981 at ‘Tengol Lampak’, also known as ‘Langathel Ching’ or ‘Lan Ngam Ching’.
RK Jhalajit Singh urged the state Government to establish a committee of experts to look into the matter seriously failing which the future generation would find itself in an unforgivable position towards today’s generation.