Manipur pays tribute to martyrs on Patriots' day

Imphal, Aug 13Manipur today observed ''Patriots' day'' to pay homage to all the martyrs freedom fighters of the Anglo-Manipur War in 1891.

Prince Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General was hanged on August 13, 1891, after Manipur's defeat to the British empire at the polo ground here and ever since then, the day is observed as Patriots' Day every year.

The king of the princely state of Manipur, besides large number of people, was detained and deported to Kala Pani at the Andamans for life time after the great battle.

The celebrations began early this morning with ministers, MLAs and other officials gathering at Heecham yaicham pat, the place where Prince Tikendrajit was cremated and offering floral tributes to him.

Manipur Governor Dr S S Sidhu said, '' The Patriots' Day brings to us the memory of the War of Independence in 1891 against British colonialism.'' '' The saga of the heroic sacrifices of Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal General, Paona Brajabashi, Niranjan Subedar, Kajao, Charai Thangal and many other martyrs, who sacrificed their lives to keep the flame of freedom alive, would continue to fire the imagination of our people for years to come,'' he added.

'' Economic and political freedom are two sides of the same coin.We cannot have one without the other. Unless we are able to uplift the poor and backward sections of the society and ensure fruits of freedom and economic growth for them, the sacrifices of the great patriots would not have achieved their aim,'' he stated.

Local clubs and organisations also organised various activities like painting and debating competitions as part of the observation.

The state government had declared the day as a government holiday but many schools were open today to observe the day.

Special plays related to the War of 1891, were shown at Rup Mahal theatre here.

Special cassettes were also released to mark the occasion.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, his Cabinet colleagues and the people of the state would pay floral tribute at Shaheed Minar, this evening.

UNI