IT News
Imphal, April 22:
Marking the 134th anniversary of the Khongjom War, the proscribed armed group Coordination Committee (CorCom) has issued a powerful statement paying tribute to Manipuri warriors who laid down their lives in the 1891 Anglo-Manipuri War. In a release issued by its Publicity Committee, CorCom described the battle as a defining moment in Manipur’s history and called for renewed unity and resistance in the present day.
The statement described the war as an extraordinary act of courage against colonial aggression, emphasizing that the sacrifices of those who fought at Khongjom went beyond mere battlefield heroism. It was, according to CorCom, a fight to preserve the dignity, identity, and future of Manipur.
Despite being poorly armed, Manipuri fighters—led by legendary figures like Paona Brajabashi—defended the land fiercely against the advancing British forces. CorCom acknowledged their valour, stating that the battle, though described in colonial records as a one-sided affair, is today recognised as a powerful symbol of patriotism and self-determination for the Manipuri people.
Highlighting the symbolic and practical significance of the Khongjom War, the statement called it the first organized resistance against foreign occupation in Manipur. The group noted that the battle had since become an eternal message for future generations—to value unity, resist oppression, and never forget the cost of freedom.
In a sharply worded critique of the present political landscape, CorCom accused the Indian government of using “democracy” as a cover to divide the people of the hills and valley and exploit Manipur’s resources. The statement warned that the sacrifices made in 1891 would be in vain unless the people rekindled the revolutionary spirit of Khongjom in their hearts.
“The war may have been fought 134 years ago, but its message is eternal,” the release stated. CorCom urged men, women, and youth across communities to rise above divisions, recall the unity of the Khongjom fighters, and carry forward their legacy as a movement for reclaiming dignity and justice.
The statement concluded by calling April 23 not just a day of remembrance but a rallying point for collective courage, identity, and self-determination.