War hero memorial inaugurated

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Sep 27: Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar has urged all to respect each other’s leaders, saying it is a must to foster the spirit of oneness and peaceful co-existence among the various communities residing in the State.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function of a memorial complex of Anglo-Kuki War’s unsung hero Enjakhup Kholhou at Jolzam village in Churachandpur district today.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the spirit of oneness can be promoted and upheld by showing mutual respect among all communities living in the State.
Joykumar said he respects Kukis heroes as much as he respect Meitei heroes.
Asserting that one of the main factors responsible for the Anglo-Kuki war was the Kuki chiefs’ refusal to be subjugated by British colonial rulers by way of raising the Labour Corps, Joykumar called upon all concerned particularly the Kuki brethren to preserve their spirit of resistance to any forms of subjugation.
Dwelling on the Anglo-Kuki war, Joykumar said that the Anglo-Kuki war could have been averted had the British authority which administered the hill areas clearly understood the nature and capabilities of the Kukis.
The Deputy CM also appealed to all to remove the myriads of problem which cause difficulties in administering the State in order to bring peace and prosperity in the State by promoting mutual understanding among all.
Delivering presidential speech, Khongsai Inpi (GHQ) president Ch Ajang Khongsai remarked that the function recalled the bravery of unsung Kuki heroes while claiming that Enjakhup Kholhou not only fought against the mighty Britishers for the ancestral land of Kukis but also for the country.
He conveyed that the Anglo-Kuki War which began from 1917 and ended in 1919 has been often referred as the Great Kuki Rebellion and  by other multiple names.
Saikot A/C MLA TN Haokip, Kuki Inpi Kumpipa Sholet Lhungdim, Kuki Inpi Manipur president Khaimang Chongloi attended the function as guests of honour, among other tribal leaders.
Administrative secretary, KCC Dr T Lunkim dedicated the memorial stone and complex inaugurated today to all war heroes and martyrs. The biography of Enjakhup Kholhou written by Nehpao Kholhou was also released on the occasion.
Paying of floral tributes to late Enjakhup Kholhou, presentation of colourful cultural items and songs by various artistes marked the main events of the function.