Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 25:
A commemorative function in honour of martyr Kajao was held today on his 117th death anniversary at the memorial complex located at his native village of Kangmong.
The commemorative function held under the aegis of Pukhrambam Kajao Memorial Trust was attended by Lok Sabha MP Dr Thokchom Meinya, Trust president Sinam Heramani Khuman and Joint Director of Central Silk Board RTRS Dr N Ibohal as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.
The main features of the observance were symposium on the like of Kajao, State level Mukna tournament, memorial marathon from Kangla to Kangmong and paying of floral tributes to the portrait of the martyr.
Pukhrambam Kajao, a Jamadar in the Manipuri army was hanged to death by British imperialists on May 25 of 1891 at the western gate of Kangla for spearing Grimwood, then Political Agent of the British Government to death on March 25, 1891.
The incident was an outcome of the British attack at the residence of Yubaraj Tikendrajit to arrest him at night in which scores of innocent people were killed.
Pukhrambam Kajao was born in 1855 at Kangmong Langonjam, also known as Pukhrambam Ingkhol.
He was popularly known as Phignang for he used to wear red clothes.
Kajao, well built and adept in martial arts, was a faithful follower of Major Paona Brajabashi.
He was a bosom friend of other patriots like Niranjan Subedar and Chirai Thangal.
He was hanged to death after a court martial by the British imperialists following defeat of Manipur in the Anglo-Manipur War.
The symposium on the life of Kajao held today was moderated by Prof (retd) Lokendro Arambam while Under Secretary (Revenue) Hareshwar Goswami, Dr M Kaoba of Oriental College and Dean of Social Sciences MU Prof N Joykumar spoke on the life of Kajao.
A State level Mukna tournament organised by the All Manipur Mukna Association in collaboration with the Kajao Memorial Trust as a part of the commemorative function was opened by chief guest MP T Meinya today.