Source: The Sangai Express / Manipur Info Centre
New Delhi, August 13 2009:
As usual, State Government today observed the Patriots' Day celebration at the Manipur Tikendrajit House, Chanakyapuri here this morning.
Three photographs of Paona Brajabasi, Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General were decorated at the base of the statue of the Bir Tikendrajit where the large number of Manipuris from NCR region paid their homage to the departed souls of the great patriots of Manipur who fought against the Britishers and sacrificed their lives for the cause of their motherland Manipur.
Manipur Education Minister LJayantakumar led the VVIPs and public while paying floral tributes to the great patriots.
Two minutes silence was also observed as to mark respect to the departed souls.
Manipur Tribal Welfare Minister D.D.Thaisii, MLA Thangminglien, Principal resident commissioner P.K.Singh, Commissioner W.L.Hangsing, Manipur Education Director M.Harekrishna were among those who paid floral tributes to the martyrs.
The 13th August is a red-letter day in the history of Manipur.
On this fateful day in 1891, the two Great Patriots, namely Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General were hanged in broad day light by the British in the presence of thousands of men and women at Pheidapung, Imphal Pologround, as these two heroes defended the Freedom of Manipur against the British.
Subedar Niranjan, Kajao Singh Jamadar alias Pukhramba Phingang and Charai Thangal of Mayangkhang were also hanged till death on June 8, May 25 and October 15 in the same year inside the Imphal jail on similar charge of waging war against the Empress on India , the British Crown.
But, it was the British who interfered into the internal affairs of the independent Kingdom Manipur and invaded.
The death sentences passed on to the Regent Kulachandra and Angousana .The Governor General however commuted the death sentence passed on the Maharaja and the Prince Angousana but were sent in exile for life to Kalapani (Andaman) along 20 martyrs for waging war against the British Empress.
The British action in Manipur culminating in the occupation of the Kingdom and the execution of Tikendrajit and 80 years old General Thangal created a great sensation in Bengal .
Barrister Monomohon Ghosh fought like a lion in the case against Tikendrajit and Kulachandra.
The people of Bengal in particular had great sympathy for the unfortunate Princes of Manipur who were the victims of the British conspiracy.
The stand taken by Tikendrajit and his martyrdom continued to be a source of inspiration to the revolutionaries of India 's freedom movement.
Fortunately, the Government of free India , as suggested by Arun Chandra Guha, had included the portrait of "Bir Tikendrajit" in the National Portrait Gallery inside the House of the People in New Delhi.
To mark respect to the supreme sacrifices made by not only these two heroes but also by many other heroes of Manipur in 1891, 13th August of every year is observed as "Patriots' Day" by the State Government of Manipur and Manipuris across the world.