100 years of Anglo-Kuki War 1917-1919 commemorated

Dibrugarh, Oct 20: The Kukis of Assam commemorated the centery of the Anglo-Kuki War, 1917-19, here in Sadiya under the aegis the Kuki Inpi Assam (KIA), the apex body of the Kukis of Assam. It was commemorated in the Anglo-Kuki War Memorial Park, situated here in Mongalpur NC Gaon, Sadiya. The function began with the ceremonial invocation from an elderly gentleman Pu Athong Lienthang, the current advisor of Kuki Inpi, India, and former elected member of N.C.Hills Autonomous District Council. The centery commemoration function was organized under the aegis of the Kuki Inpi Assam on October 17 , to give due honour and reorganization of the supreme sacrifice of the Kuki Chiefs in the freedom struggle and to pay befitting tribute to these unsung war heroes who valiantly fought the then mightiest colonial power of the time, the British Empire. The meeting was well attended by Kukis residing in the upper Assam and delegates of the KIA from Dima Hasao district led by its president and secretary. Besides, people from the state of Manipur, galand and also a few other leaders from Karbi Anglong district of Assam and some local citizens attended the day long program.

Addressing the gathering in his welcome address Dr.Lamkholal Doungel, Chairman of the Centery Commemoration Committee and moderator of the program emphatically underlined the significance of the day and said, “What we did today will be written down in the history. Indeed it is truly a privileged to be a witness to this great historical event, the completion of one hundredth years of our forefathers’ struggle for freedom. It is a unique and rare opportunity to pay our deepest and sincere tribute to all our unsung heroes who courageously fought the most influential colonial power of the time.”  

The Commemorative Centery Stone was unveiled by Pu.Dr. T. Haolai, President of the Kuki Inpi Assam. Dr. Haolai expressed his deep satisfaction and happiness and unveiled the commemorative stone on this very auspicious and historic occasion.  

Speaking on the occasion, Athong Lienthang, the advisor of the Kuki Inpi India and seasoned politician of N.C.Hills lamented over the present plight of the Kuki people despite being a great tribes and tion. He said, “I am truly thankful to the government of Assam for doting four bighas of land in honour of our Kuki freedom fighters. But it is also unfortute that this four bighas of land is the only geographical land area given to the Kukis who fought the British for almost three consecutive years for freedom and independence even after one hundredth years.” Speaking on the occasion Lamhao Doungel, Additiol Superintendent of Police, Charaidao district who was a distinguished guest on the occasion expressed his happiness and said, “In this historic occasion we all must pledge to work hard together and fight a war against divisive forces and shun violence.”  The Superintendent of Police of Sadiya Sub-Division Prakanta Changmai also graced the occasion and while speaking on the occasion he highly appreciated the initiative of Kuki people and the Kuki Inpi of Assam in particular regarding the idea to setup Anglo-Kuki War Memorial Park in Sadiya.  

. It may be noted that Sadiya is historically an important place for the Kukis and in 2016, the government of Assam has allotted 4(four) bighas of land to the Kukis for the purpose of Anglo-Kuki War Memorial Park at Sadiya, a place where their forefathers were exiled during 1920-23. Revisiting the pages of history, the forefathers of the Kukis fearlessly fought the mighty British Empire for freedom and independence from 1917 to 1919 and at the end of the war the Kuki Chiefs were charged with war crimes and were sentenced to jail and subsequently exiled to Sadiya. Nine (9) out of the 11(eleven) charge-sheeted Kuki Chiefs were exiled here in Sadiya.

The other distinguished speakers addressed the meeting held on the occasion, amongst others,  were, Thanglun Changsan, Tongthang Touthang, Liengin Singson, Imradul Islam and J.Haokip.

 Earlier on the occasion Lamhen Changsan, Secretary of the Kuki Inpi Assam, while speaking on the significance of the centery celebration read out the memorandum written to the Chief Minister of Assam, Sarbanda Sonowal which was later submitted to the SDO Sadiya B.Phukan. The memorandum humbly prayed for one day holiday in recognition of the sacrifice made by the Kukis who bravely fought the British for freedom.