Imphal, March 03: The 89th anniversary of Anglo-Kuki War (1917-19), 2006 would be observed on March 17 at Salem Veng, Maphou Dam area, Sadar Hills in Senapati district.

Informing this in a statement, publicity secretary of Anglo-Kuki War Patriots Memorial Foundation Mangcha Haokip has appealed to all sections of the people in Manipur irrespective of caste, creed, religion, etc to join in the observance in the interest of promoting peace, communal harmony and protection of integration of Manipur.

The statement further maintained that the Anglo-Kuki War, 1917-19 that took place 89 years ago was the last war of independence ever fought against the imperialist British expansionism with Manipur as its bastion in the North East India that commenced on March 17, 1917 and ending on May 20, 1919.It was a war fought with the mighty British forces of more than a strength of one division, numbering 15,400 under the command of General Sir HDU Henry Keary stationed at Kendet, Burma as his headquarters, assisted by his second in-command Lt Col JL W French-Mullen, Kendet in Burma, Brigadier General CE Macqauioid, DSO as General Officer Commanding and Colonel LW Shakespear, CE Dy Inspector-General of Assam Rifles stationed at Imphal.

Though the war is known as Khongjai Laal by the Meiteilon speaking people, Zo-Gaal by the Zous and Thadou-Gaal by Thadou-Kuki speaking people, the British call it the Kuki Rebellion.

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