Imphal, January 09: Paying of rich homage and tribute to the then King of Manipur Chinglen Nongdrenkhomba alias Gambhir Singh and other brave sons of the soil who contributed their mite even to the extent of sacrificing their lives for regaining the independence of the erstwhile Manipuri kingdom from the hands of the Burmese marauders after the infamous Seven Years Desertation (1819-1826) marked the Reconsolidation Day function held at Kangla Hall here today.

Organised jointly by Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN), International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) and United People's Front (UPF), the observance function was attended by titular King of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba as chief guest and HERICOUN vice president R Rehang Chothe, IPSA vice president Yumnamcha Dilip and UPF president Th Mangi as presidium members.

A host of other personalities like chief of Khoushabung village Khamjalal Gangte, chief of Harmantang village Lenkhomang Mangte, chief of Khoirentak village Hunerchung Kom, chief of South Navin village Henlun Haokip, chief of Gelmol village Thangnet Thadou, secretary of Saman Tangkhul Village Authority MS Angam, former president of Koireng Youth Organisation Kungsong Wanbe, chief of Kangchup Chiru Village Akungthang Chiru, advisor of Komrem Development Organisation T Achung Kom and secretary of Leingangching Village SN Angthoi Lamkang were also present at the occasion as guests of honour.

In their speech, the presidium members called upon the people for unity and to know their common adversary.

While pointing out that there has been a vast difference between the Manipuri society that existed 180 years ago and the society of today, the presidium members observed that the present generation should never forget the patriotic and sacrificial spirit of their forefathers who could not be subjugated.

Even for the people could enjoy their hard earned freedom from the hands of the British imperialists, Manipur had been forcefully annexed by India and since then various repressive measures are being imposed on the people, they alleged.

Manipuri people had fled to escape from the atrocities of the invading Burmese soldiers only for seven year, but the same people are being subjected to similar sort of atrocities for the last more than 50 years in their own land through imposition of various repressive measures, they said while giving a new connotation of the Seven Years' Desertation.

Special invitees who spoke at the occasion noted that Look East policy of the India Government should not be viewed as a policy for socio-economic development.

It is only a ploy for expansion of militarisation of the region.

Among the resource persons who spoke at the occasion, Dean of Social Science of Manipur University Prof N Joykumar explained the significance of January 9 and described one who do not understand it as a nonentity.

Prof Ch Priyorajan of Economics Department, Manipur University also spoke on the present economic condition of Manipur as one of the resource persons.

Cultural dances and folk songs of various communities were also performed at the occasion.

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