CorCom salutes AngloManipur War heroes spanbr Source span classbodyboldThe Sangai Express spanp p alignjustifyspan classbodyboldImphal, April 22 2018spanOn the occasion of Khongjom Day April 23, the CorCom Publicity Committee has paid rich tributes to all the martyrs who laid down their lives in the AngloManipur War of 1891 According to a statement issued by CorCom media coordinator Ksh Yoiheiba, British empire set their eyes on Manipur Kangleipak not for development of the land but to consolidate their position with respect to the neighbouring countries of Manipur On account of its strategic location between India and China, British imperialists had several reasons for their intention to keep Manipur as a buffer zone Manipur occupied a key position not only for trade between British India and Burma but also in controlling Nagas, Kukis, Mizos and other groups of Manipur who were then scattered at the periphery of the countries occupied by British empire British colonisers had a keen intention to keep Manipur as a frontier of their empire against the rising power of Burmese empire and the growing interest of France in IndoChina The existence of Manipur as an independent country between India and Burma which were then colonised by the British turned out to be a pain in the neck for the British colonial rulers Soon, they started planning to bring Manipur within or under control of the British empire Taking advantage of the Palace Revolution of September 21, 1890, British empire launched an offensive against Manipur on March 24, 1891 but they were defeated by Manipuri soldiers Infuriated by the sudden attack, Manipuri soldiers killed five British officers including James Wallace Quintoh and Grimwood Following this battle, British forces attacked Manipur from three directions The British forces led by Lt Grant who invaded Manipur from Tamu were challenged by a handful of Manipuri soldiers led by Yaiskullakpa and his son Sengoisana at Thoubal Athokpam After a fierce battle with the invading forces, Yaiskullakpa and Sengoisana laid down their lives for the cause of the Nation Then 700 Manipuri soldiers led by Maipak Sana, Wangkheirakpa Rudra Singh and Yengkhoiba Major were sent to check any further advancement of the British forces led by Lt Grant Subedar Paona Brajabashi and Chongtha Mia were promoted to the rank of Major Together with 400 soldiers, they too were sent to fight the British forces advancing from Tamu Manipuri soldiers led by Wangkheirakpa and Yengkhoiba Major built a fort at Thoubal A small troop of Manipuri soldiers led by Wangkhei Meiraba moved towards Pallel and they encountered a column ofBritish forces led by Major Leslie at Kakching Manao Ching After fierce fighting, Wangkhei Meiraba and 20 other Manipuri soldiers were killed in the battle, Yoiheiba said Major Paona and Major Chongtha Mia built their fort on the western side of Khongjom River and the final battle of the AngloManipur War was fought there After fighting to their last breath, Major Paona Braj abashi, Maj or Chongtha Mia and a number of Manipuri soldiers laid down their lives for freedom of Manipur The outcome of Khongjom War was known to every one even before it started for the British forces were much superior in terms of number and weapons But the Manipuri soldiers fought the war valiantly for they valued freedom more than anything else Of the three divisions which invaded from three directions, the division led by Col RHF Remnick which launched the offensive from Cachar reached Kangla first on April 27 and they unfurled the Union Jack British flag at the Kangla and took Manipur under the British empire, Yoiheiba recalled To galvanise the indomitable spirit and lofty ideals of our forefathers, we must intensify the liberation movement, it asserted It further called upon all the people of Manipur to fight collectively and overthrow the alleged Indian colonial rule EpnNews18 pspan classnewsheader PM honours bureaucrats for making Manipur’s Karang India’s first cashless island