An Unsung Nationalist - (Shakhangbikhidraba Ningtamloi Ama )
- Part 2 -

A translation by Dr. Amarjit Moirangthem *

Few days later, he heard the news of the Indian Tricolor Flag being replaced by the Union Jack of British at Moirang. One after another he heard, Netaji got killed in a plane crash in Taipei , two atom bombs were exploded in Hiroshima and Nagashaki , finally Japan surrendered. The first one, broke his heart, latter torn him apart and all his hopes were crushed into dust.

Years of toil and hardship dashes into thin air. And 3 years later India got independence in 1947, Manipur too. While the people in Kabow were campaigning to request the king of Manipur to proclaim the Kabow valley as a juristion of Manipur, a sudden bolt from blue fell upon their hopes, the news of Merger Agreement came .

Sardar Vallah Bhai Patel had asked the then Governor of Assam to invite Maharaja Budhachandra for a durbar at Shillong. There, at gunpoint the king was made to sign the agreement October 15, 1949 and and the authority of Manipur went to the hands of the Indian Government. The bulletin blew out in a strong wind extinguishing the flames over the evening lamps in everyone's home across Manipur ,and ignited a volcano into their hearts.

A broken while Nongsaba making an effort to meet Hijam Irabot , the news of the two Prime Ministers Nehru of India and U Nu of Burma reaching Imphal for a meeting came acrossed. The people of Kabow were delighted again alike the beetles hovering around when the monsoon rain arrives, they were urging their desire of incorporation of Kabow valley into Manipur. Some political experts had spread that, the Indian Government would certainly acknowlege the sentiments of people of Manipur, and the two leaders of both countries will countersigned an agreement annulling the old treaty between the British and Burma, ragarding the kabow valley. then Kabow Valley will again be reincluded in Manipur."

Nongshaba's happiness was splell no bound. He went to Imphal for acertaining the news along with some of his followers, riding in a bullockart. As no person was allowed inside the meeting premise, they were standing aside the road in Babupara under the shade of a tree, waiting for the good news.

The news then came '' the two neighbour countries settle for peace in between and the desputed valley of Kabow finally belongs to Burma ." Dated 15/10/1953.

Nongsaba punched his hand onto the trunk of tree exasperating in despair and blood spilled over the hand into the ground. The people around had tried to stop him. The discontended many people who couldn't consoled their broken hearts, began to protest shouting, grudging resentment ,and to prevent the raising riot, the police beat the people, disbursing them.

The dispirited youths then gathered to mend their discontended hearts, raising imbroglios to a horizon of insurgency. The Indian government percieved Nongsaba Mangang as one of those who gave impetus to the raising movement and put a reward for any information related to his whereabout and a severe penalty to those who helped or give refuged to him, alike the British put rewards over Yuvraj Koireng and Thangal general. With many informers who were envious of the reward, and many who feared the penalty , the armies and the police left no place for him to hide, finally he had to turn back .

''Uncle'', San U awakening Nongshaba.

Shaken up, he opened his eyes, it was getting dawn.

(A Burmese militant addressed one another as'' Thakin'' meaning master.)

''Thakin, we are reaching Namphalong Market. The land across the gate is Moreh .''

'' Thakin, would you like to go to Manipur along me ? Havn't you heard about many of your comrades at Chandel Leikul refugee camp ?"

In Burmese tradition, the grown up boys have to spend in a bhuddhist monastry for some time and then on an auspicious day for novitiation, they celebrate Shinbyu- a special rite of passage . Just 5 days left before his ceremony, the military junta came to arrest San-U for standing against their military leader Ney Win. San-U escaped and ranaway . He has been underground hiding and fighting as a supporter of pro-Democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi. On the occasion of Burmese new year festival Thingyan , he had come to see his good old guardian attiring in a traditional Gawbhaung shirt and a lungyi.

''Thakin, that's impossible. I' ll never leave my country.''

Caressing his hand over his long white bears around his chin, Nongshaba says, '' It is not wise to give your life for the motherland. If you die, who will free the country ? To attain freedom, you have to run and hide. ''.

After taking a deep breath ,'' Today , my people will recieve and embrace me as a patriot. At this last moment, I am disclosing my true identity. Being borned at Kabow valley, you are struggling for a democratic Burma nation . And I have been fighting for uniting of Kabow Valley to Manipur.''

Without any word, San-U just starred at him like a prey. And his eyes are filled with tears.

Nongshaba continues,'' Thakin, my brothers in Imphal will be welcoming me with granduer. And they will acknowledge me a freedom fighter with garlands around my neck. I will be getting a pension too. Bless you have a great future, may you sing your national ANTHEM aloud with pride .. Kaba Ma Kyei ( till the rnd of world, Burma…)."

''Thakin,…..!'' with a heavy voice.

''When you succeed in your struggle and free your country, you must convinced your fellow Thakins , to save the remaining few Kathes in the 50 odd Kathey juwas (Meitei villages) and not let them extinct. Allow them to speak Manipuris not only at their homes, but also in public, schools, colleges, markets. I trust you will allow them to name and address themselves in their own mother tongue . Allow the Kabiyas (siblings of a meitei and other community) to enter the temples of the kathes Poonas and unite them to save their identity. Do promise me.''

The guy whom they sent for the gate pass and Indian exchange came back with the Indian currency notes. Together they cried awhile and parted.

'' O mother, my beloved Mother Manipur, there is no place alike you, elsewhere in the world.'' Nongshaba passed across the gate and reach Manipur. Laughing his heart, he waved his hand towards San-U , his final bade.

''Hold ! ''shouted some Indian sepoys.

Then they arrested him. They took all his moneys, his earnings for many years.

3 days after, the daily newspapers published '' a suspected Taliban terrorist was shot dead while trying to cross the border. One 9mm pistol, one hand grenade recovered .''

His decaying corpse after remaining many days at RIMS morgue, the Imphal Municipality declared unclaimed and disposed by buring according to the islamic rituals.

Concluded...

( The story written by Nabakumar Nongmeikapam has won the Pacha Meetei Literary Award ,2009 , first price in the of patroitic short-story competition organised by Patriotic Writers Forum, Imphal . The story was published in the book Train Amagi Khonchat by the author.)
# A hearty thanks to my friends Robert Moirangthem, Usham Ronjan, Niranjoy Khaidem for lending their helping hand.