Manipuri diaspora marches to Kangla

Expatriates visit state of origin to mark Manipur’s liberation from Burmese occupation

Peace marchers pay floral tribute at Kangla Fort on Thursday. Picture by Eastern Projections Imphal, Jan 9 : Descendants of Manipuris who got scattered in various parts of Assam during the Burmese invasion in 1819 walked for the past 10 days to reach Imphal today to realise the “dream of a lifetime”. Nearly 500 men and women, mostly from Cachar, Golaghat, Hailakandi, Karbi Anglong and the Barak valley, reached Kangla fort around noon as part of a peace march that began on December 29 from Silchar’s Indira Club ground. Organised by Manipuri Diaspora, nearly 1,000 people joined the march named Manipur Levy 2008. Their first stop was Kangla fort where a reception was organised for those who were visiting Manipur for the first time. “This is my first visit to Kangla, which is a Mecca for the Meiteis. On reaching here, I prayed at the Kangla sha, the statues of a mythical animal and the symbol of power of Meitei kings. Many of us who have come from Assam for the first time are very happy. We can die in peace now that our dream has been realised,” 48-year-old Thokchom Pravharani Devi, a teacher and social activist from Cachar, said. When the Burmese invaded Manipur, several Manipuris fled to Assam, Tripura and Bangladesh between 1819 and 1826, also known as “seven years’ devastation”. The fugitive king, Maharaja Gambhir Singh, marched in with his Manipur Levy of 500 from Sylhet on March 11, 1825, and finally drove out the Burmese soldiers from the state. Tomorrow is Maharaja Gambhir Singh’s 175th death anniversary and the Manipur Levy 2008 has been organised in commemoration of Manipur’s liberation from Burmese occupation. The marchers will visit Langthabal, the ancient palace of Meitei kings, tomorrow to pay homage to Manipuri heroes. “When we entered Imphal valley, all our fatigue and exhaustion evaporated. We are happy to visit Kangla and we are looking forward to visiting Govindaji temple,” said Waikhom Tamphasana Devi from Golaghat. The organisers plan to take them to Govindaji temple and Loktak lake on Monday. “Had it not been for the march, many of us in Assam could have died without visiting the place of our origin and the sacred Kangla fort,” said S. Ibemtombi of Cachar.