-Sominthang Doungel
Contd from previous issue
NORTH EASTERN SECTOR (AISAN)
Aisan territories comprised Kanjang, Akhen and Meluri areas of present day Nagaland and Chingai sub-division of Ukhrul District of the Present day Manipur to Somra tract of Burma.
The Tangkhul Nagas who were under the rule and protection of the great Kuki Chiefs of Aisan and Chahsat made a pledge to assist their Kuki rulers on 10th Oct. 1917.
They killed a buffalo and seal their pledge. Mr. Higgins and Rev. Pettigrew called a meeting with the Tangkhul leaders at Phatang and requested the Tangkhul leaders to reverse their decision to join the Kukis in their fight against the British. The Tangkhul reneged on their commitment to their Kuki rulers and submitted themselves to the British who rewarded them with provisions of sugar, salt and oil etc.
The Kuki warriors in this area fought very bravely but soon became disunited. Pu Pasut and Pu Letkholal Singson joined the British scouts and led them in storming the stockades built by the Kuki chief Pu Chengjapao Doungel and Pu Lalzasong Haolai at Haijang with some Kuki traitors who acted as a secret informers for the British forces, it became immensely difficult for the Kukis to carry on fighting as secret plans and moves were easily revealed.
The British Government saw that the Kuki rebellion was masterminded and carried out under the leadership of Pu Chengjapao Doungel. An arrest warrant was issued to catch him dead or alive. The Assam Rifles under the command of the British officer marched to Kanjang Camps after recieving an information that he was looking shelter at Kanjang camp near new Aisan Village in Naga Hills. Having learnt the approach of the Assam Rifles the Kuki warriors under the command of Pu Haolun Lotjem ambushed the Assam Rifles on the way. One British officers was shot dead and the rest fled away.
After the dead of the British Officer and successfully turning back the British forces, Pu Haolun composed a song-
“ Kawlkeipa bang long lam’a chawi gong khawing veicham angpa lhang boning kasielle
Gam sihtui bang ka lonsah ngawn ne”
Meaning - Like a Lion I hold a gun and block the path; as I lay down the glorious foreigner, like flowing water his troops retreated”
After two weeks on a rainy day, the Assam rifles under a J.C.O. resumed their attack on Kanjang Camp where Pu Chengjapao Doungel was stationed. But he was secretly escorted through a hole on the southern wall of the fort by Pu Sutmang Singson to Vahong Camp in Ukhrul District, Manipur. So, the British commander could not even get the slightest information of the whereabouts of Pu Chengjapao Doungel.
Finally the British commander announced a cash award to the Villagers who would come forward and disclose the whereabouts of Pu Chengjapao Doungel but there was no response from the Villagers.
In July, 1918, the British govt. made known to the rebel chiefs that if they surrender within two months and pay house tax and submit their guns they would not be hanged or imprisoned but would be merely detained.
As the head of all Kuki chiefs, it was for Pu Chengjapao Doungel to decide whether to continue the war or come to end. With the capturing of Pu Tintong Haokip the comander-in-chief and Pu Enjakhup Kholhou the Deputy commander with Pu Mangkhoon at Tingkai village and disarming of all hostile villages and with the severe limitations of foods and ammunition supplies and the untold predicaments suffered by women and children, it was not possible for Pu Chengjapao Doungel to carry on with the war.
Some days later, after his village at Vahong in Ukhrul District was burnt down, Pu Chengjapao Doungel formally surrendered to Mr. J.C. Higgins at Imphal in mid spring 1919. Pu Chengjapao Doungel bought a huge elephant tusk from a Kipgen Village in Burma for Rs. 300/- and presented to Mr. J.C.Higgins with the hope of more lenient terms for himself and his subordinate chiefs.
“As head among the Kuki chiefs, I request you to pardon me and my brothers from the penalty of waging war, which we did in defence of our motherland” Pu Chengjapao requested.
The political agent, Mr. Higgins replied that it was not within his authority to pardon him or his subordinate chiefs but assured Chief Chengjapao that he was pleased by his actions and would reduce the punishment which was due to him and the others to a certain extent.
TRIAL AND CHARGE SHEET OF CHENGJAPAO DOUNGEL:
Extract of Hon’ble Websters’ chief secretary to Chief Commissioner Assam’s report to Govt. of India, Foreign and Political department of 27/06/1919 is given below :
Chengjapao, chief of Aishan- This man is the “Piba” or head of all the Kukis. The charges against him are as follows : -
(1). That he began to organise opposition to recruiting for the labour corps even before coolies were actually sent for, holding a meeting at which he killed a buffalo, and distributed its flesh calling on other chiefs to resist recruiting and to make war upon Government if necessary, using his position as senior chief of the Kukis for this purpose and afterwards attempting to obtain the cooperation of the Angami Nagas as well. To be contd