Home department of the state government has seek comments from the state government regarding the controversial date of the historic Khongjom Day which has been claimed by different group of historians as on April 23 and April 25. According to a source with Imphal Times, the matter has been considered of urgent and the Home department has directed the arts and culture department to furnish the report for sorting out differences. Interestingly, the directives is being followed after a memorandum has been submitted by one K Gunachandra Sharma of Singjamei Top Leikai to the governor of the state to sort out the differences of opinion among the historians/ intellectuals of the state regarding the date of Khongjom Day. In the memorandum, K Gunachandra Sharma indicated that both the date i.e. April 23 and April 25 are not the actual date for historic Khongjom Day.He writes, “ ..in my personal research finding that according to the London Gazette Numb. 26192 page 4369, 70, 71, 72 and 73, it was clearly reported that the war fought at Bapam (Sapam) and three column arrived at Manipur by 11:00am on 27th April”.Former Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Leishangthem Chandramani in his doctoral thesis had submitted April 23 of 1891 as the date at which Paona Brajabashi was killed by British troop at Khongjom. The historian was referring the date from the Cheitharol Kumbaba (Royal Chronicle).However, other scholars – Late N Khelchandra, RK Snahal and RK Jhalajit Singh had argued the date of Khongjom Day as April 25, 1891. Both the scholars are referring the date from the British historical records.
Khongjom Day controversy: State home department seeks comment from Art and Culture Commissioner
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