New Delhi, March 12, 2010: A LIFE-SIZE statue of Pu Ngulkhup Haokip, who was the chief of Lonpi (Mombi) village in Khengjoi TD Block in Chandel district and a war hero during the Kuki war of independence (1917-1919), erected on the top of a hill, was unveiled by Deputy Chairman, State Planning Board and MLA Bijoy Koijam at a solemn function held at the village today.

Bijoy Koijam was the chief guest, ex-Minister Ngamthang Haokip was the functional president and MLA, Chandel A/C Thangkholun Haokip was the chief host at the function, which was attended by several thousands of people of different tribes and communities from various parts of Manipur and also from Myanmar.

The chief guest led the people in offering wreaths and floral tributes to the statue of Pu Ngulkhup Haokip, described by several speakers as a Kuki patriot.

Addressing the huge gathering, Deputy Chairman, State Planning Board, Bijoy Koijam said that Ngulkhup Haokip was being remembered by the people because of his valour and sacrifice.

He stood for integrity of Manipur, Bijoy Koijam said adding that deeper research and study on the Kuki war hero's life and works were needed so that people of Manipur would come to know about him more widely.

He said, the British faced guerilla warfare for the first time in Manipur, and it was from the brave Kukis, who fought for Manipur.

He further said that it was not the time to think and act on the line of communities and land making divisions in the small state of Manipur.

He appealed to the people to unitedly strive for peace and communal harmony and integrity of Manipur.

He gave his assurance to the Pu Ngulkhup Haokip Memorial Statue Committee that he would take up its request for constructing a cultural complex or guest house or a park at the site, where the statue stands, with the Chief Minister and see that it is done.

Lonpi (Mombi) village, situated south of Chakpikarong in Khengjoy TD Block in Chandel district, is connected by a 14 km-long dusty, bumpy and serpentine road from Chakpikarong.

It takes 50 minutes to be precise to reach the village from Chakpikarong in vehicle.

Bijoy Koijam told the thousands of people, who attended the unveiling ceremony of Pu Ngulkhup Haokip's statue today at the hill top, that he would discuss the matter of handing over the mud road to BRO for improving and black topping with the Works Minister, K Ranjit and the Chief Minister, Shri Okram Ibobi.

He handed over a sum of Rs 1 lakh given by the Chief Minister to the Pu Ngulkhup Haokip Memorial Statue Committee as financial help.

The Chief Minister was earlier scheduled to attend the unveiling ceremony as the chief guest, but as he had other unavoidable works, he couldn't go, and he sent MLA Bijoy Koijam to represent him at the function.

He also sent a message on the occasion.

Earlier, while giving the historical background of Pu Ngulkhup Haokip, ADC of Moreh, Ngamthang Haokip said that Pu Ngulkhup Haokip was War Hero No.1 among the Kukis.

He is not a controversial figure at all, everything about him is recorded in the history books.

He had good relations with other village chiefs and the Maharaja of Manipur, Chadrakriti.

He assisted Maharaja Chandrakriti in waging war against the Burmese during the Awa Lan.

He also fought for the integrity of Manipur.

If there are roads and bazars named after Paona, Thangal, etc.

and if there is a Jadonang park, why not Pu Ngulkhup Haokip road or bazar or park somewhere in Imphal, he asked, evoking a thundering applause from the gathering.

Ex-Minister, Ngamthang Haokip and MLA of Chandel A/C Thangkholun Haokip also spoke.

Chiefs of villages, leaders of different tribes from different parts of Manipur, CO of 6 AR, Col Gajraj, other AR officials, district administrative officials, church leaders, president of Kuki Inpi Manipur, Kuki scholars and so on sat on dais.

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