Historians and archaeologists to clarify the veracity of Chivu/Chibu Stone Inscription of Maharaja Chandrakirti

Sir,
It is learnt from daily “ The Sangai Express”, dated the 20th May last that the stone inscription of late Maharaja Chandrakirti Singh, King of Manipur, erected in 1872 at Chivu/Chibu located near Behiang along the Indo Burma border, which is protected under the Manipur Ancient and Historical Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1976, is said to have been erected falsely by wilful distortion and manipulation of history at worsts, according to an NGO called Tribal Intellectual Forum, Manipur.
In fact the stone inscription was erected in 1872 during the reign of Maharaja Chandrakirti Singh (1850 to 1886 ), in commemoration of his victory over 112 rebel Lushai Chiefs during the Lushai expedition, 1871-72.
The so called Tribal Intellectual Forum, a Kuki based organization, claims that the Manipur contingent in the Lushai expedition of 1871-`72 had never directly participated nor entered into the Lushai Hills.
The forum claims that the Chivu/Chibu stone inscription of Maharaja Chandrakirti was founded through manipulation and distortion of history, the victory of British military over 112 Lushai villages/Chiefs in Lushai expedition, 1871-72, as if it was victory of Maharaja Chandrakirti.
Further, the intellectual forms states that the Manipur Govt. used this false historical version in the stone inscription and official signboard in Chivu in prevailing over Archaeological Survey of India to recognize and to record the same in the popular book” Indian Archaeology -1987-89”. A review authored by M.C. Joshi, Ex- Director ASI.
The forum at the end maintains that the stone inscriptions of Maharaja Chandrakirti at Chivu near Behiang invites tribal people to see blood in the hand/name of the Maharaja Chandrakirti, and the plan of the Government of Manipur to develop the area, into Chandrakirti Memorial Park, in public interest, by acquiring 607.50 sq meters in 1987 as an attempt to acquire tribal land through deceit, wilful manipulation and illegal means and wants revocation of the plan by the Govt. immediately.
As the claims of the so called Tribal Intellectual Forum have impacted historical established facts, there is strong possibility of misinterpreting and misconstruing historical events in regards to Lushai expedition by general public and intellectuals all over the world in general and the region in particular, historians, archaeologists and intellectuals who know the facts are requested to give valuable ideas and thoughts to set the controversy at rest for good, in the larger interest of the State and the people.
Dr Thangjam Ranjit
Sinam Leikai
Thangmeiband