Asem Bhakta Singh, Special Correspondent North East
Port Blair: A team of journalists from Manipur, under the banner of the All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU), embarked on a poignant journey to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to pay homage to 23 heroes of Manipur, who were exiled to these islands following the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891.
Led by AMWJU President Bijoy Kakchingtabam, the team commemorated their first tour to the Andaman Islands, marking 21 years since their initial visit in 2003. The solemn occasion was graced by the presence of Maharaj Kulchandra Singh and other deported heroes, whose memory was honored with a memorial event at Mount Manipur National Park.
A significant revelation emerged during this visit, as collaborative research with history enthusiasts and the Art & Culture Department of the Government of Manipur unveiled that the deported heroes were not imprisoned but housed at Mount Harriet, now renamed Mount Manipur. This discovery led to Union Home Minister Amit Shah officially renaming the site on October 17, 2021, as a tribute to their contributions to India’s freedom struggle.
The AMWJU delegation, comprising 28 members including 18 women journalists and officials from the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) of the Government of Manipur, embarked on their journey from Imphal on March 16. Arriving in Port Blair after boarding the M.V Nalanda ship from Kolkata, reach on 21 march. the team participated in a light and sound event depicting the struggles of India’s freedom fighters imprisoned at the cellular jail by British rulers.
As a symbol of remembrance and rejuvenation, the team planted saplings, including the stink bean (Yongchak) and Jasmine (Kundo lei)Thaballei,Kamini Kusum,and Chini Champra brought specifically from Manipur. Sponsored by DIPR Manipur, this tour underscores a concerted effort to honor Manipur’s rich history and the sacrifices made by its brave sons in the fight for freedom.
The journey not only serves as a tribute to the past but also highlights the resilience and unity of the people of Manipur in preserving their heritage and commemorating the sacrifices of their ancestors for generations to come.
