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Our Correspondent
Imphal, July 20(EMN): Manipur Governor La Ganesan has reiterated that there should be a strong sense of patriotism all the time as the people got freedom from the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters in the days of colonial imperialism.
The Governor was speaking at a book presentation function at Manipur University on Wednesday. The book titled “Unsung Anglo-Manipur War Heroes at Kalapani” written by Sukhdeba Sharma Hanjabam and Aheibam Koireng Singh was presented to the Governor and Chief Rector of the University by Vice Chancellor Professor Naorem Lokendro Singh .
The Governor said the heroic contributions made by the departed souls would always be remembered and one should respect the country.
“Manipur’s fight against the British forms an integral part of a series of struggles which the freedom loving people of India fought in different forms and in different parts of our country,” he said.
He continued that the heroic people of Manipur “fought shoulder to shoulder with their fellow countrymen for freedom of our motherland”.
Manipur’s last war of Independence also called Anglo-Manipur war was fought in 1891.
Stating that after the defeat at Anglo-Manipur War in 1891, Maharaj Kulachandra and many other prominent leaders including Yuvraj Tikendrajit and Thangal General were also arrested and charged for waging war against the Queen Empress and abatement of murdering British Officers, he said. Five of them were hanged and 23 people including Maharaj Kulachandra were transported for life at Kalapani, Andaman.
The transported Manipuri war heroes from Manipur were believed to have interned at a bungalow at Mount Harriet now called Mount Manipur. They faced the horrific torture for the sake of Independence which is worth mentioning in these days, he said.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Lokendro of Manipur University also spoke on the importance of documentation of participants of Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 and expressed hope that writers will continue their efforts in this direction. Faculty members, researchers and students attended the function, which was organised by Manipur University Intellectual Forum of North East-Manipur and Manipur University Students’ Union. The descendents of the War Heroes were also felicitated in the day’s function.