Manipur – State Observes Patriots’ Day with Tributes to Anglo-Manipur War Martyrs
Imphal. Manipur observed Patriots’ Day, remembering those martyrs who laid down their lives during the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891. The observation was held at various places in Manipur and outside the state where Manipuris reside.
The state-level event was held at Bir Tikendrajit Park in Imphal, with Manipur Governor Lakshman Prashad Acharya, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, cabinet ministers, MLAs, civil and police officers, and the public attending and paying floral tribute to the heroes.
On August 13, 1891, the prince of the erstwhile Kingdom of Manipur, Bir Tikendrajit, and General Thangal were hanged publicly for waging war against the British Empire, while others were sent to exile at Kalapani. The day is observed as “Patriots’ Day” in Manipur annually. While the day is declared a state holiday, this year, educational institutions organized patriotic song and poetry competitions.
Tuesday’s observance started with floral tributes at Hicham Yaicham Pat, Moirangkhom, and Thangal Temple, Palace Compound in the morning. Later in the afternoon, the Governor and the Chief Minister, along with other dignitaries, attended the wreath-laying ceremony at Kangla Uttra, Imphal.
Addressing the gathering, Manipur Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya said the day reminds us of the heroic acts of the people of Manipur on various battlefronts of the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891, which showed the world that the people of Manipur had the indomitable courage to challenge the mighty British Empire for the freedom of their motherland.
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said that there is nothing more important than our motherland, while appealing to the people of the state to unite to bring peace and development to the State, setting aside all their differences.
N. Biren recalled that Manipur, which was an independent kingdom, came under British rule on 27th April 1891, after the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891. He continued that the British accused Maharaja Kulachandra, Yubaraj Tikendrajit, and others of waging war against Queen Victoria, and on the 13th of August 1891, Yubaraj Tikendrajit and General Thangal were hanged to death.
