The Manipur People’s Party (MPP) reaffirmed its enduring role as a torchbearer of regional political ideals as it hosted the 13th Patriots’ Day observance at Lamboikhongnangkhong, drawing together an impressive assembly of valley-based civil society leaders.
The event, marked by solemnity and conviction, paid tribute to the indomitable spirit of Manipur’s heroes of the 1891 Anglo-Manipur War, most notably Yubraj Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General, who faced execution rather than surrender their homeland to British rule.
Their sacrifice, carried out on this day 134 years ago, has since become a defining symbol of resistance and unity in Manipur’s collective memory.
The gathering saw MPP President S. Brojen Singh presiding over a distinguished presidium of eminent scholars, women leaders, and community elders, whose presence underlined the party’s ability to bring together voices from across the social spectrum.
The presence of leading figures from organisations such as COCOMI, AMUCO, CCSK, UCM, and the Federation of Civil Society (FOCS) lent the event a rare unity of purpose, demonstrating that even in challenging times, the valley’s civil society stands shoulder to shoulder with a political party committed to safeguarding Manipur’s dignity and future.
Speakers at the observance reflected not only on the historical legacy of Patriots’ Day but also on its relevance to the present, stressing that the spirit of the 1891 martyrs must guide contemporary struggles for peace, justice, and integrity.
The choice of Lamboikhongnangkhong as the venue, a place that has in recent years also sheltered displaced families, infused the observance with a poignant reminder of the challenges still confronting Manipur.
Floral tributes were offered, and the gathering resonated with calls for unity that transcended political and ethnic divides, echoing the martyrs’ vision of a united land free from domination.
