Mount Harriet renamed ‘Mount Manipur’; Manipur CM expresses gratitude

Our Correspondent
Imphal, Oct. 17 (EMN): Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday said that it was a proud moment for the people of Manipur that the Central government has been giving special attention to the state, while expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah over the renaming of ‘Mount Harriet’ in Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Kalapani) to ‘Mount Manipur’.

Speaking to media persons at Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Biren Singh said that after the announcement of renaming of ‘Mount Harriet’ to ‘Mount Manipur’ by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday at Port Blair, the people of Manipur were overwhelmed with joy and happiness.

Stressing that Amit Shah also paid rich tribute to Maharaj Kulachandra and 22 other martyrs of Anglo-Manipur War 1891 who were exiled and jailed in Kalapani after the Britishers witnessed their great courage, spirit and love for their motherland, he said: “I on behalf of the people of Manipur and government express happiness and gratitude to central leaders for such a priceless gift to the people of Manipur”.

The chief minister further stressed that the people of Manipur were overwhelmed with joy for giving so much of respect and honour to our forefathers and freedom fighters of Manipur.

‘Amit Shah also recognised the then political status of Manipur and mentioned that Manipur had its own Constitution,’ he added. Maharaja Kulchandra Singh and 22 other freedom fighters of Manipur were imprisoned during Anglo-Manipuri war (1891) at Mount Harriet.

The Chief Minister announced that a candle lighting celebration will be held on Sunday across the state to show their appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and all the Central leaders.

Maintaining that historical facts can never be distorted, N Biren Singh said that some vested groups were attempting to distort the history of Manipur. He appealed to all concerned to stop such ill practice immediately as it could hurt the sentiments of other communities and affect the integrity of the State. 

Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar Singh, Minister for Education S Rajen Singh, Minister for Agriculture O Lukhoi, Minister for CAF&PD Th Satyabrata and others were present during the press conference. 

In February 2003, an 18- member All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union had visited Mount Harriet and called the then Lt. Governor for the development of a memorial.