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Our Correspondent
Imphal, Dec. 12 (EMN): The 83rd Nupi Lal (Women’s War) Day was observed in Manipur on Monday in remembrance of women freedom fighters who took part in the first and second Nupi against the Britishers in 1904 and 1939 respectively.
Manipur Power and Agriculture Minister, Th Biswajit Singh and Municipal Administration Housing and Urban Development minister, Y Khemchand, MLAs and top officials of the state paid rich tributes at the Nupi Lal memorial complex in Imphal. Later they marched towards TG Higher Secondary premises in Imphal to attend the state-level observation of Nupi Lal Day.
Speaking on the occasion, Biswajit reminded the gathering about the brave Imas (mothers) who courageously fought with the British for the rights of the people and fearlessly protested against injustice. Sharing a similar sentiment, Khemchand also highlighted the courageous role of Manipuri women. He said Nupi Keithel in Imphal is the only all-women run market in the country. Later, Nupeelal Memodial Association Drama Party performed a Nupi Lal play.
In the first Nupee Lal in 1904, Manipuri women rose up in arms against the British Government’s order to use men as forced labour for the construction of an assistant political agent’s house in Imphal.
In the second Nupee Lal on December 12, 1939, thousands of women marched to the State Durbar Hall demanding a ban on the export of rice as floods had caused extensive damage to crops that year.
The All Manipur Nupi Marup(AMNM) also observed 84th Nupi Lal memorial function at Irabot Bhavan in Imphal. The observation was attended by Secretary L Thoiren Singh of Manipur state council (CPI),President M Sakhi Devi of AMNM, former President S Sorojini AMNM, Patron members (AMNM)Y Ibeni Devi and M Kadambini. Mahila Morcha of Bharatiya Janata Party Manipur also observed the day at its office premises in Imphal.
In the morning, a state-level memorial run called ‘Nupilal Ningshing Lamjel’ was held with active participation of more than 1000 women in their traditional attires from Nupi Lal Memorial complex to Singjamei Super Market in Imphal.
In a message on the eve of the occasion of Nupi Lal Day, 2022, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh had said he joined the people of Manipur in remembering the brave 'Imas' of the state who had fought in the 'Nupi Lal' against the exploitive might of the British imperialists.
“On December 12, 1939, our brave 'Imas' came to the forefront revolting against the British imperialists calling for immediate stoppage of rice export which had triggered an artificial famine in the State,” Biren Singh said. “Thus, every year, we observe December 12 as 'Nupilal Numit' as a tribute to the courage, sacrifice and patriotism of the women of Manipur,” he added.