Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 09 2009:
"WHAT'S THE difference between the seven years' devastation of 1819-1825 that followed the differences and quarrels among the princes and the present day situation in Manipur ? .
Asking this question, Manipur People's Party (MPP) President Dr L Chandramani today called upon the people of Manipur to unite so that Manipur will not be ddevastated again.
Dr Chandramani was speaking at a function held at the office complex of MPP to commemorate the 175th death anniveersary of Meidingu Chinglen Nongdren Khomba popularly known as Maharaj Gambhir Singh.
The MPP observed the day as "We shall not be devastated again" .
It may be recalled here that Maharaj Gambhir Singh led an Army known as Manipur Levy in 1825 from Cachar and expelled the Burmese army who had occupied Manipur for seven years during which the Burmese had completely devastated Manipuri society.
Dr Chandramani further said at today's function that the commemoration was being organised as a step to prevent further devastation from recurring to the future generations of Manipur.
He expressed serious concern saying that there is no difference betweenthepresent day situation in Manipur and the seven years' devastation wreaked by the Ava army during the period of 1819-1825.During that period, the Avas mardered all men wherever they were found or nabbed and taken away, women were killed and raped.
That situation is no different from the present situation.
Which means wold save the society?A solution must be found, Chandramnai said.
The march of the Manipuri diaspora under the banner of Manipur Levy, 2008 from Silchar, Assam to Manipur (December 29-January 8) is the latest example of the Manipuris' pledge that "we shall not be devastated again," the MPP president said.
Addressing the gathering, former president of MPP, MLA O Joy said that the tragic epoch of the Seven Years' Devastation would never be forgotten.
The tragedy happened as a result of the tussle for the King's throne among the princes.
It was a sell off of the motherland in order to ascend the King's throne, he said.
Joy further said that every household in Manipur ought to commemorate Maharaja Gambhir Singh who had saved Manipur from the Seven Years' Devastation.
Manipuris are a race that can't be extinct, that will not run away, and can't be lost, he said.
Former Union Minister, Th Chaoba, who also spoke at the function, narrated the epochs of the Seven Years' Devastation, how Gambhir Singh along with the help of British saved Manipur, how Kabow Valley was given away to Burma etc.
He said, we need to bring in changes.
The change must be brought about by the help of democratic election.
And that change must brought about by the people of Manipur, he said.
MLA, Dr Ng Bijoy said, if we have to prevent devastation from recurring, we must prevent the illegal influx of the foreigners.
It is necessary to regulate the influx of the migrants from other states of India into Manipur.
All the communities including Meetei, Meetei-Pangal and Tribals need to be aware of this.
We need to be able to stand alone in economy.
We need to revive the ideal discipline, he said.
MLA RK Anand said, the Manipuris live today because our forefathers had sacrificed their blood for the motherland.
Today it is as if the land has no masters.
People can't become the masters and appear to be losing courage.
This resulted from the onset of slavish attitude.
We mustn't forget that people are the masters, he said.