Events from the political journey of Md. Alimuddin Observance of Khongjom & Patriots’ Day

Written by Dr. Syed Ahmed (Associate Professor, Department of History,Dhanamanjuri University,Imphal)

Md. Alimuddin is one of the eminent political leaders of Manipur. He started his political journey soon after the IIWW. He was elected to the Manipur State Legislative Assembly in 1948. He was one of the founding members of Manipur People’s Party (MPP), a regional political party, launched during the statehood movement (on December 26, 1968). MPP contested the first State Legislative Assembly election held in 1972. The party along with few other political parties formed the Ministry. Md. Alimuddin was elected as the Chief Minister (March 20, 1972 to March 28, 1973). He became the first Chief Minister after Manipur got statehood. The Government lasted for just one year. He served as Chief Minister again after his party got the majority in the second State Legislative Assembly election, however this time the ministry lasted just four months (March 4, 1974-July 10, 1974).

Md. Alimuddin’s MPP led Government, which lasted for just around one year and four months, is regarded by many political analysts/commentators as the most successful term/s. Some of the major achivements of Md. Alimuddin’s Government include:

1. Establishment of Manipur Medical College, the foundation was laid by Governor B.K. Nehru and Md. Alimuddin on May 22, 1972 at Lamphel (later upgraded to RIMS).
2. Establishment of Manipur State Public Commission (MPSC), which was inaugurated at a grand function, held on October 23, 1972 at Gandhi Memorial Hall, Imphal, by Governor B.K. Nehru and Md. Alimuddin.
3. Establishment of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Centre as an institution for higher education in the State (forerunner of Manipur University, Canchipur). The foundation of the Centre was laid by Md. Alimuddin on November 19, 1972 at Canchipur.
4. Setting up of Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BOSEM) headed by a Chairman in 1972 as per the Manipur Elementary and Secondary Education Act, 1972, to regulate, supervise and develop the system of Secondary education in the state.
5. Md. Alimuddin’s Government took over the Adim Jati Technical Institute as government Polytechnic, and started Civil, Electric and Mechanical Engineering courses (Diploma level) with an intake capacity of 70. The construction of the new building was also started at Takyel.
6. Constitution of Manipur Law Commission and Manipur Pay Commission which facilitated the consolidation of legal administration and pay structure of the Manipur Government in course of time. Law Commission was constituted with Sinam Krishnamohon as Chairman and Thounoujam Jaichandra Singh as Secretary and Ahanthem Nilamani and Thokchom Ibobi as Law Secretaries. Several acts passed by the Manipur Assembly replaced the laws which were introduced from other states.
7. Setting up of Khuman Lampak Sports Complex

Md. Alimuddin’s Government also took up several initiatives to bring industrial and agricultural growth in the state. The government proposed to set up a Spinning Mill at Loitang Khunou village at an estimated cost of Rs. 238 lakhs. The foundation stone of the Mill was laid by Md. Alimuddin on November 22, 1972. The government also commissioned on Mar. 4, 1973 a 60 tonnes per day sugar-cane crushing capacity Khandsari Sugar Mill at Khangabok village at the cost of Rs. 21.87 lakhs. The government further planned to set-up a cement factory at Hundung in Ukhrul and a bamboo based Paper Mill at Chandighat in Jiribam.

Double cropping and water supply system, construction of dams, etc. were introduced to enhance agricultural productivity in State.

One of the most significant legacies of Md. Alimuddin’s Government was the introduction of the tradition of organizing state observances to recall the supreme sacrifices made by the heroes of the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891, and pay homage to them. 

The Government started the tradition by giving state honour to Major Paona Brajabasi and the other valiant fighters, who laid down their lives at the historic battle at Khongjom fighting for their motherland. A memorial (ningsing khubam) was developed at Kheba Ching at Khongjom. Md. Alimuddin invited the then President of India, V.V. Giri (1969-1974), for its inauguration. Accepting the invitation, the President came and inaugurated the memorial on October 21, 1972 and paid tribute to the war heroes by laying wreath at the memorial. Since then, the dignitaries of the state have been paying homage to the heroes every year on April 23, observing as Khongjom Day.

Further, August 13 began to be observed as Patriots’ Day and State officials began the tradition of paying tributes to Tikendrajit, Thangal General and other great fighters of the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891, who laid down their lives fighting against the British, at Tikendrajit Park, Imphal.

One of Md. Alimuddin’s closest associate and Minister (in-charge of Education, Local Self- Government, Law and Labour) in his Cabinet, Yumnam Yaima Singh, recalls the events thus:

“Christ 1891gi Aprilgi aroiba sarukta soknakhiba Manipurgi ningtamba kannabagi aroiba lanphamsing adugi manungda yamna kanna soknakhiba lanphamdi Khongjomda soknakhi. Lanpham aduda mareibakningba macha kayana mathawai thakhi. Paona Brajabashina luchingduna soknakhiba Khongjomgi lanpham aduda mathawai katkharabasing, atei lanphamda mathawai katkharaba lanjing purel athoubasing amasung mamai leiduna chenkhidraba Meitei lanmi pumnamak adugi ningsing khubam ama thamnaba Khongjomgi Kheba Chingda semgatle. Ningsing khubam adu sanaba Christ 1972gi August 17ta aihakna jatra hunkhibani. Madudagi leptana sagatpana Christ 1972gi October 21da Bharatki Rastrapatina sanggakhibani. Numit aduda Bharatki Rastrapatina Meitei mama leibakkidamakta mathawai katkharabasinggi maphamda makok nonduna ekaikhumnanaba utkhi. V.V. Giri na matam adugi Bharatki Rastrapatini. Md. Alimuddinga aihakka Dilli chatlaga Rastrapatibu sanggabagi thouram adu pangthokpinaba barton tourubani. Mahakna yamna harouna yabirakhi. Rastrapati lakkadoubana lambi thong ningthina semgat sagatle. Chingthak fouba car na kakhatnaba lambi semle. Khongjom turelda tarpan katpa yanaba semle. Chingkhongda miyam tinba yanaba pak-chouna temthoktuna semle. Sanggabagi thouram adu yamna chouna panthokhi. Aikhoina prajagi maphamda wasakhiba ama lei madudi (Pologround da pangthopa achouba meeting amada) Bharatki Rastrapatibu Manipurgi ningtambagi lanphamda mathawai katkharabasingda makok amuktang nolhangani. Madumak pangthokpa ngamkhibada hainingai leitana nungaiba poki. Manipur praja haroubagi ngamkhei leikhide…”

The Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891 is one of the most significant events in the history of Manipur. In this unequal war, the small independent Manipur kingdom faced the mighty British. Several Manipuris laid down their lives to save the dignity, honour and sovereignty of their motherland. After the defeat at the Battle of Khongjom, where the Manipuri force fought courageously under the command of Major Paona Brajabashi (many Meitei Pangals took part), Manipur lost its sovereignty to the British. On 27th April 1891, the capital of Manipur (Kangla) was occupied. Manipur was made a British protectorate State.

Historian Gangmumei Kamei notes the significance of the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 thus:

“The Anglo-Manipur War was a short but momentous contest between Manipur and the British. It was an irony of history that the two friendly allies, one an Asiatic power in alliance with Queen Empress of India and the other the British Indian Empire came into a sudden military configuration. The Anglo-Manipur war was a great historical widely discussed by the contemporary and the posterity. The military conflict was definitely a war between two independent countries, though the British looked at it as a rebellion…”

The British Government put the princes and other leaders of the war on trial and they were tried by a military tribunal for three charges: 1) waging war against the Queen Empress, 2) abetment of murder of British officers and 3) murder. The court awarded death sentences to five leaders, namely Tikendrajit, Thangal General, Chirai Naga, Pukhramba Kajao and Niranjan Subedar, while 23 others, including regent Kulachandra, were sentenced to transportations for life and deported to Andamans. Tikendrajit and Thangal General were hanged on August 13, 1891 at Sanakeithel Pheida Pung, (eastern side of Mapal Kangjeibung) attended by some 8,000 Manipuris, including thousands of women (the area was developed as Bir Tikendrajit Park with the memorial, Shaheed Minar). The other three were later hanged in jail.

Patriots’ Day is observed every year on 13th August in remembrance of these brave heroes who chose death over surrendering the sovereignty of their motherland to the British. Their valour and patriotism have been instilling in the hearts of the Manipuris the love of the motherland for generations.

It was Md.Alimuddin’s Ministry which started observing Patriots’ Day as a State function. Interestingly, the MPP-led Government started observing the day for the first time in 1972 against the Central Government’s strong directive not to commemorate the day. The then Congress Government under Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, dispatched official letter to the Chief Minister, Md. Alimuddin, not to observe the day as it would incite the youth. The letter was handed to the Chief Minister by the then Chief Secretary, Krishnabati, and the Police Chief, Madan Gopal. The Chief Minister and his Development Minister, Yumnam Yaima, after reading the letter, decided to observe and face the consequences. Yaima crushed the letter in his palm and threw it in the dustbin. Patriots’ Day was successfully observed with Md. Alimuddin as Chief Guest and Yaima as President. And it was attended by a large number of people. Since then, every year, 13th August began to be observed with patriotic fervour by the dignitaries and officials of the State.

The event is narrated by Yumnam Yaima in his memoir, thus:

“August 13asi Manipurgi saheed divas day mareibakningba machagi numitni. Kangluraba mitki pirangna amuk chotlakpa numitni. Kaoge yadraba numitni. British sarkarna koireng jubraj amasung thangal Generalbu fasi touduna hatkhiba numitniManipurda sahebna pallaba, ningthou pallaba matam amadadi numit asi yamna lonna thupna, kina mi kharatana ningsing thouram pangthoklambani. Khara leiragana leikaida, clubkumbada pangthoknarakle. Adusu yamna mana manil naidanani. Khara amuk leiragana schoolda karida chtragi kanglupna numit asi ningsingbagi thouram pangthoknaba houkhi. Bharatna ningtamba fanglaba matamdadi mapanthokna organizationkayana, political partysingna numit asibu chouna maru oiba numit oina louduna thouram kaya pangthoknare. Manipur Peoples Partygi election Manifestoda numit asibu state function oina pangthokkani haina fongdokle.

MPPna sarkar pairabada cabinetna numit asi state function oina pangthoklagani haina leple. Madu leibak khangnaba laothokle. Function adu mapung fana pangthoknaba sem saba loire. Houjik Bir Tiendrajit Park kouraba mapham aduda pangthokpani. Thouram adu pangthokpada Alimuddinna Chief Guest oina aihakna President oina pangthokle. Thoram adu houramdaida nungaitaba thoudok macha ama thokhi. Madudi asini. Function adu younanaba Md. Alimuddinna aihakka punna chatminasi haiduna Chief Ministergi bunglow famduna ngaihaktang leiringei aduda Chief Secretary Krishnabati ga Madan Gopal kouba Policeki makok thongba officer aduga makhoi ani punna laki. Krishratina chunglaktuna chief ministerda telegram copy ama pire. ALimna madu paraga aingonda amuk piraki. Aihakna pare. Telegram adu Home Ministerydagi tharakpani. Waphamna, Auguat 13 adubu state function oina pangthokanu. Maduna lalhoulup amadi naharolsingbu lanna lamjingba oina thokani haibani. Souningmankhibadagi copy adu khubakta suru-suru tasillaga Krishratida hunjillammi. Function hounabagi pungdi tasillakle. Ministersing, MLAsing, officersing amasung prajana mapham aduda chonna tille haibagi pao fangle. Minister Yaima kamdousi haiba Chief Minsiterna houdoklaki. Chatsine, matam oire. Houjikpu Home Ministrydagi thinglakle tokpa tare haiduna toklabadi sikhibana henna fei. Kendraa touningba toujaraksanu thengnaraga loire. Krisratina report pisillubadagi tourakpa oirinine. Kendrna khut thingjinnaba hotnaba asi hotneidako. Ahei-apa sabana thokhallibani. Home Minsitrydagi mawa loudana aikhoi ani chatle. Aikhoi ani function maphamda matam chap chana thuni. Numit aduda mapham aduda tillamba mi onthokna yamkhare. Chahi (August 1972) adudagi houna August 13 asi State function oina chatthakhibani. Tenkharaba matamgi manungda pangthokhiba maru oikharaba thabakni.” 

Note:

Chirai Naga was hanged for killing British officers at Mayangkhang, Manipur. On the 25th of April, 1891, a column of Manipur troops under the leadership of Ashang Kut Polia, came to Mayangkhang, after executing five Britishers at Kangla. When the Manipuri troops reached Myangkhang, they were informed by the villagers that two British Officers of the Telegraph Department were staying in the Mayangkhang Resthouse. The Manipuris fired shots, killing O’Brien instantly. However, WB Melville escaped with his rifle under the cover of darkness. A big search was carried out in the nearby jungle and Chirai Naga found W.B. Melville beside a stream, and he killed him. Chirai Naga was later arrested, tried, and hanged on the 13th of October, 1891 by the British. We salute the great martyr. (amritmohotsav.nic.in)

Niranjan Singh Chhetri from Kangpokpi was the son of Daria Singh Chettri. He was a former soldier of the 34th regiment of the Bengal Native Infantry. The regiment was disbanded at Ambala, after the regiment mutinied at Barrackpore on 29th March 1857. During his service period under the British Empire, he had the opportunity to serve in Manipur as a guard of the Political Agent in Manipur. Niranjan Singh Chhetri came to Manipur after his regiment was disbanded and was appointed as subedar under the patronage of Tikendrajit. He was assigned to look after the security of the Palace. After the defeat of Manipur in the Anglo-Manipur War, he was tried by British, and charged with waging war against the British Empire. He was sentenced to be hanged till death vide Telegram no 1166E, dated the 4th June 1891 addressed to the Secretary of States, London, Foreign Office, Manipur. He was hanged on 8th June 1891, at the Western Gate of Kangla – the capital of the erstwhile Manipur Kingdom (amritmohotsav.nic.in)

Photo: Chief Minister, Md. Alimuddin, President of India, V.V. Giri (with walking stick), Governor, B.K. Nehru, Ministers, MLAs and State officials

This historic photograph was taken at Khongjom on 21st October 1972. The President of India attended the inauguration of the Memorial Complex at Kheba Ching.