Nupi Landa Thaunaphabishing :: Book Translation
- Part 5 -

James Oinam *

Nupi Lan Book Cover

Nupi Landa Thaunaphabishing: Part 5
(Brave Women During the Nupi Lan)
Publisher: Lamlai Area Nupi Marup
Cover illustration by: Singh Publicity, New Checkon
First print: December 1991
Copy: 1500
Printer: Haobam Printing Works, Etam Nungoi

President Kameng Jati

Kameng village is located 18 km from Imphal in Ukhrul, on the eastern side of Ukhrul road. Even before 50 years from now the village has been flourishing. There were not many houses. Still now it is a small village. The village reminds of one of the seven maichaus, Kameng Fadiba.

It also reminds of Jati among women who played a major role in nupi lan. Kamen Jati reminds of parts played by nupi lan, scattering of shops of Yaingangpokpi and leading of the farmers by Irabot. Red cloths of Pheiroijam Kanhai holding an iron rod flying red flag can be imagined.

Among what can be remembered, in a small office of mohori (jewellery?) on PWD road in Lamlai bazar red flag was hoisted by farmers to declare it to be their office. Kamen Jati worked closely with Jananeta Irabot and Kanhaimacha. She took part in many farmers’ uprisings. At that time there was one Pheiroijam Khrishna Singh who taught a song called rajniti bashok.

Women singers included Khumbongmayum Ningol Tombimacha of Kameng, Ibetombi of Uyumpok, and Khaidem Sanahanbi of Lamlai. They sang songs written by Jananeta: Hauro … (Rise…) awaba ahinggi amamba koktuna (Freedom from miserable dark night), khaoro khaoro sana-phau (Harvest-harvest golden rice), Bharat jatigi apunba washak (United promise of tribes of Bharat), etc.

Jati provided encouragement so that this group of singers could survive. When Irabot went underground, he spent some time at the house of ema Jati. When masun located in Sawungbung started causing miseries to farmers and common people living in the foothills, women decided to rise against it. For this they went to villages to gather women in which Kamen Jati played a prominent role.

She herself called women leaders from Imphal valley. After discussing with Rajani, Sanajaobi, Tongdou, and others, women group scattered things that were given to masun. When servants and dignitaries of the king came to punish those who did not pay taxes to amin or secretly gathered tera (semal cotton, Bombax ceiba), she was among the frontline who faced them.

Kameng Jati and Apanbi Kabui played major role in destroying Tilipati oil. Big shops in Gwaltabi that had hoarded rice, dal, thoiding (perilla seeds), etc. secretly were also destroyed led by Jati.

Even when she was weak and walked with a stick, she was public spirited. While she was alive, every year on full moon day of mera, remembrance day was observed. Red flag with sickle would be hoisted. Jati used to offer flower upon the names of those who sacrificed their lives.

Jananeta who passed away in Tangbo village of Burma was remembered. Ema Jati was born in Khurai Lairikyenbam Leikai (colony), to Waribam family. She was married to Khumbongmayum Nabadwip(?) of Kameng village.

She organized women of north-east of Manipur, notably, Laikangbam ongbi Radhetombi (Kameng), Khumbongmayum ongbi Pujari Devi (Kameng), Konsam ongbi Thambal Devi (Chana), Laishram ongbi Leibaklei Devi (Chana), Laibi Devi (Sheijang(?)), Laishram ongbi Janbi (Lamlai), Mutum ongbi Thagoi (Lamlai), Yumkhaibam Amu Devi (Lamlai), Khaidem ongbi Amureima (Lamlai), Apanbi Kabuini (Sawumbung), Hawaibi Devi, Pungdongbam Phijam Janita(?) (Sekta), Khaidem ongbi Tharo Devi (Sekta), Bamon Radhe(?) (Yaingangpokpi), Thokchom Punimashi (Sheijang), Khumukcham Ketuki (Nongren), Takhelmayum Nupimacha (Mongren).

Ema Jati spent in custody many times. She could not read and write. She died about 20 years ago [as the book was first printed in 1991, that means she died around 1971] in Kameng village. A lot of people who took part in the uprising came to express their condolences.

Nupi Lan Leader Longjam ningol Shabi

Manglemjao Karam
Near Leimakhong

In the history of new Manipur, nupi lan of December 12, 1939 will remain an inescapable part. It is testimony that if not more than Manipuri women are no less than any women on the earth who struggled for the land along with the poverty they fought at home. Nupi lan was a big step in social revolution.

It was a big step towards socialist revolution. In a feudal system poisoned by capitalism it carved a way of freedom from these. In the pages of history written in golden letters of nupi lan, Shabi Devi remains a shining leader.

Shrimati Tongbram ningol Shabi Devi was born on October 10, 1910 on Thursday to Tongbram Ningthaukhomba of Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri (pond). Her mother was Kundalei. Her father died when she was only 4 years old. Within a year of her father’s death, her mother passed away.

She was brought up by her aunt Leihao. For survival she had to earn daily living. Thus, she was courageous and did not shy from labour. Endurance and sacrifice were inherent in her from childhood. She served people without any self-interest.

Shabi Devi married at the age of 15, but alas became a widow without any child at the age of 23. Thereafter, she lived in poverty. In 1939, uprising against British colonial empire became strong in India. Civil Disobedience Movement and Non-cooperation Movement also reached this land surrounded by mountains. From that flame the 1939 nupi lan was formed.

Through this they fought against exploitative laws brought from outside and even faced section 144 of IPC. The road and canal leading to rice mills were exempted from tax; those who did not pay octroi tax were not even allowed to fish in canals (under the logic that the water of the canal is connected to the water of the lake [Loktak?]); people were not allowed to cut wood and ee (a kind of straw used for roofing) from mountains; people were asked to carry palanquin for free (?); people were forced to convert to Gauriya religion and asked to put on Chandan as proof (?); those who were ostracized by the king and those who were related to them were not allowed to cremate on death, and shradh-karma (rituals for the dead) was not allowed for them; against these they fought.

Men and women who took part in this uprising were tortured by the police, including trampling with boots, stabbing with bayonet, and putting in prison. Not only this, properties were seized and houses were auctioned. Truly speaking, the administration was cruel.

From a small community, some among the small number of women like Shabi Devi are precious who believed that only a united uprising without self-interest, endurance, and courage would be successful. In the freedom struggle of Manipur, without the name of Shabi Devi, it would be an incomplete history.

In the India’s freedom struggle, one who stood against a frightening power was imprisoned by foreigners for 6 months. On 15 August 1947 when India got freedom from British colonial empire, the government recognized Shabi Devi as political prisoner and honoured her. She died on January 1, 1977. Her body was covered by communist party flag. During the last rites party members made their offerings.

To be continued .....