President Droupadi Murmu today paid homage to the women warriors of Manipur who fought against British colonial forces, during a ceremony held at the Nupi Lal Memorial Complex in Imphal as part of the observance of the 86th Nupi Lal Day. Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, along with senior officials and a large gathering of attendees, participated in the state function and offered tributes to the martyrs.
The President laid floral tributes in honour of the courageous mothers of Manipur, whose legacy continues to inspire successive generations.
Later in the day, while addressing a function in Senapati district, President Murmu stated, “Today, the nation commemorates Nupee Lal Memorial Day. Nupee Lal stands as a defining example of the strength of women’s voices in bringing about positive social change.”
Earlier, the President visited the Shree Govindajee Temple at the Palace Compound, located approximately two kilometres from the memorial, where she offered prayers.
The Nupi Lal observance was also held at Singjamei, where MLA Yumnam Khemchand of the Singjamei Assembly Constituency attended the programme. Addressing the gathering, Yumnam Khemchand recalled the courage, valour, and sacrifices of the Manipuri Emas and urged the women of the state to contribute towards restoring peace and normalcy in Manipur.
He stated that the idea of Manipur must be preserved collectively by all 36 communities residing in the state. “All the communities together built today’s Manipur. Every community has a role in the progress and development of the state. The unity of all 36 communities is essential for a united Manipur,” he said.
Referring to his recent visit to two Kuki villages, Litan Sareikhong and Chassad, he shared that Kuki internally displaced persons (IDPs) expressed their desire to return home. “The situation is the same for Meitei IDPs in the valley. We must all work together to bring peace back to Manipur,” he added.
Responding to objections raised by a few Kuki civil society organisations regarding his visit to the Kuki IDP camp at Litan Sareikhong, the MLA said that his intention was to initiate people-to-people contact with a message of peace. “They may oppose my visit, but I also have the right to travel to any part of the state. Why should anyone stop me from spreading the message of peace and unity?” he remarked.
The United Manipur Muslim Women’s Development Organisation (UMMWDO) today also observed the Nupi Lal Memorial Day programme at the Manipur Press Club.
At the event, Dr. Dhanabir Laishram; S. M. Jalal, President of the All Manipur Muslim Organisations Coordinating Committee; Altaf Hussain, President of the All Manipur Muslim Art and Cultural Organisation; Thokchom Sujata Devi, President of Imagi Meira; Ruhida Parveen, Finance Secretary of the Pangal Street Vendors Association; and Anwari Noorjahan, President of the United Manipur Muslim Women’s Development Organisation (UMMWDO), attended as Chief Guest, Guests of Honour, and President respectively.
Najma Phundreimayum, General Secretary of the United Manipur Muslim Women’s Development Organisation (UMMWDO), delivered the keynote address of the programme. She stated that organising the Nupi Lal Memorial observance is intended to make today’s generation aware of the sacrifices, hard work, and courage shown by the women of that era. She added that remembering their valour and courage is a duty we are bound to uphold.
The 86th Nupi Lan Remembrance Day was also commemorated at the JMC Multi Utility Complex Auditorium in Jiribam, with local organizations uniting in tribute to the sacrifices made by women in the struggle against colonial oppression.
Organized by a coalition of groups including JIMPAL, AJMP, WASED, JIMWAK, WWOK, IKAL, AMAWOVA, AMKIL, and SWA, the event brought together community members in a spirit of reverence and respect.
Among the attendees were N. Budhachandra Singh, a social worker from Jiribam as a chief guest; Women’s Association for Socio-Economic Development (WASED) president, Naorem ongbi Nivarani Devi; Apunba Jiribam Meira Paibi (AJMP) President, Sagapam ongbi Sushila Devi; Jiri Ima Meira Paibi Apunba Lup (JIMPAL) President, Longjam ongbi Bimola Devi; Jiribam Women’s Association of kangleipak (JIMWAK) President, Thangjam Ongbi Jini Devi; Women Welfare Organisation Kangleipak (WWOK), Jiribam President, Haobam Onbi Thoibi Devi; Iramdam Kanba Apunba Lup (IKAL), Jiribam president, Longjam Koibi Devi; Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL) President, Atom Ongbi Ashangbi Devi; Struggling Womens Association (SWA), Jiribam President, Kongkham ongbi Ibemnungshi and All Manipur Women’s Voluntary Association (AMWOVA), Jiribam president, Thokchom Priyadarsini Devi shared the dais as Presidium members.
The day’s program featured speeches from invited guests, such as Mutum Maipaksana Mangang, President of the All Jiribam United Club Association, and Elangbam Dewan Singh, President of the Jiri Development Organisation. They discussed the significance of the Nupi Lan movement in light of Manipur’s ongoing ethnic conflicts, highlighting the need for community unity in confronting contemporary challenges.