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06/02/2007: "Rebellion in Rio ranks OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph"

Rebellion in Rio ranks OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph

Kohima, June 1: A militant leader was today caught trying to coerce a Nagaland People’s Front legislator into withdrawing support to chief minister Neiphiu Rio in the official quarters of a Congress MLA.
Over 50 of Rio’s supporters barged into the room of Congress member Nungsang at the MLAs’ Hostel in Kohima when they came to know that a leader of the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) was there with NPF legislator Taire Zeliang and trying to make him sign a document. It transpired that the document was a letter withdrawing support from Rio, whose NPF heads the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland.
The chief minister’s supporters would have manhandled the militant leader, A.K. Lungalang, but for the intervention of another NSCN (I-M) functionary, K.K. Angami. A source in the militant group said the issue was “resolved there and then”.
There was, however, no end to the political drama that began a few days ago with some NPF members deciding to challenge Rio’s leadership. The chief minister’s loyalists suspect the Congress of “controlling” the dissident NPF legislators.
“That a member of a militant group was caught threatening Zeliang in a Congress MLA’s room proves the party’s involvement in the conspiracy,” an aide of the chief minister said.
As many as 10 NPF legislators called on Governor K. Sankaranarayan to repose faith in Rio. The trip to Raj Bhavan was ostensibly a reaction to five dissident MLAs claiming that 16 of their NPF colleagues had joined them.
The 10 legislators who are standing by Rio are Kuzholuzo, Nyeiwang Konayk, K. Naiba Konyak, Nkhao Lotha, Hewoto, Yitachu, Kipili, Hukavi, R. Khing and Kaito Aye.
This is the second crisis for the Rio government since it assumed office in 2003. A group of 14 had moved a no-confidence motion against Rio in 2004. All but four of the dissidents — K. Therie, Z. Obed, Vatsu Meru and Talinungsang — changed their minds soon after. The party suspended the recalcitrant quartet.
Sources in the NPF said the same four leaders were now conniving with the Congress to destabilise the government. Party secretary Kath Rengma said the suspended NPF members were also concocting stories to confuse the people.
Earlier in the day, the NPF convened an emergency meeting at the residence of its president, Shurhozelie.
The chief minister’s press secretary, Abu Metha, said there was no threat to Rio and that reports of the challenge to his leadership were “rumours”. But Khutovi Sumi, one of the four Independent legislators in the ruling coalition, said the dissidents were projecting Obed as their chief ministerial candidate.
The other constituents of the ruling alliance are the BJP, Janata Dal (United) and the Samata Party.
Cantonment Buzz The Telegraph


The winners of the pageant flanked by other participants
Talent hunt in army family
The inspector-general of Assam Rifles (North) organised an interactive session for dependants of all ranks.
The idea was to organise welfare activities in order to draw out talents among the family members of Assam Rifles jawans.
Events like fashion shows, tambola, extempore and games were organised at the meet.
Geeta Singh and Rakhi Roy bagged the winner and runner-up crowns respectively in the glittering fashion show — the prime attraction of the event.
Trip to Delhi
A group of 24 children from Nagaland are on a 10-day educational tour of Delhi. The inspector-general of Assam Rifles (North), Brig. H.G.V. Singh, Commander 5 Sector Assam Rifles, has sponsored the trip.
Singh, who flagged off the tour, said the children would return on June 5. The officer said 26 Assam Rifles has been arranging such trips to places of historical and educational interest for children who are part of the Rashtra Bhasha Prachar Samity. A team of junior commissioned officers and jawans has escorted the children as guides.
Toppers feted
Mousumi Hazarika of SMD College, Sudakshina Kalita of Amguri College and Naznin Ahmed of St Joseph School were felicitated by the 2 Mountain Brigade at a function held at Phuleswari Girls’ Higher Secondary School in Sivasagar district for figuring among the top 10 in their board exams.
The function was organised by 316 Field Regiment and 66 Field Regiment.
The toppers were given cash awards and gift hampers by former Sivasagar deputy commissioner K. Diwedi and commanding officer of 66 Field Regiment Col. N. Babu.
Medical camp
The Assam Rifles, on Thursday conducted a free medical camp at Matiyim in Nagaland’s Mokokchung district.
Matiyim, located on the bank of river Tsurong (Desai), is prone to malaria and certain water-borne diseases.
Nearly 250 people, including 45 children, were treated at the camp, which was organised by a medical team under the aegis inspector-general of Assam Rifles (North), who is based in Kohima.
Medicines were also distributed at the end of the camp. Villagers, who had come from various parts of Alongchen and Sahaphumi, requested that more such camps be organised at regular intervals.
NSCN (IM) appeals public on exhortions

Imphal, June 1 (NNN): With the numerous demand letters served to the people from some elements disguising themselves as the NSCN-IM in Bishnupur and Churanchandpur districts, the outfit has urged the people to find out from the mobile phone number 9436210523 so as to ascertain the fact. The NSCN-IM leader who is in-charge of the finance matter in these two Manipur districts informed that fake letter-heads in the name of the outfit have been printed in rampant by some elements and have been collecting taxes in the name of the NSCN-IM.

DAN preparing for the 2nd term: Shurhozelie Correspondent Nagaland Post
Kohima, June 1(NPN): NPF Party President and Planning and Coordination Minister Dr Shürhozelie today claimed that the DAN government would not only complete its full term in office but it was preparing for a second term after the 2008 assembly elections.
Talking to Nagaland Post here today, Dr. Shürhozelie termed the recent reports over demand to oust Neiphiu Rio from chief ministership as "rumors and nothing new" and assured that nothing will happen to the present DAN government.
On the demand for change in leadership, Dr. Shurhozelie pointed out that such a move needed a 2/3 majority and that too, it would not be possible if the party members and the President disagreed. "Change of leadership is not even in our dream" he said brushing it aside and ruled it out even as a "remotest possibility".
He said the list of the dissidents was the same as that of 2004 which did not contain the date but now used to "fool the people", he added.
Dr. Shürhozelie claimed that the only ten legislators which included the opposition leader, four suspended NPF legislators, three Independents and one JD(U) met the Governor on Wednesday evening.
The NPF president accused the dissidents within the NPF of taking advantage of the "liberal attitude" of the party and indicated that the party would "wait and watch" before initiating any action against them.
Dr.Shürhozelie did not specify what the actions would be other than saying that the suspended NPF legislators were all leaders and that if the party initiated any action, it would be the end of their political career.
Rebel MLAs put Nagaland govt in crisis, UG hand evident Newmai News Network

Kohima, June 1: Neiphiu Rio government is in serious trouble.It seems to be true that 22 MLAs from his government had withdrawn their supports to the Rio government. Local media reported that the 22 MLAs from NPF and other Democrartic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government partners are determined to replace Neiphiu Rio from the top post.

Meanwhile,Senior NSCN (IM) leader and former Home Kilonser of the outfit, A. K Lungalang, was today caught in an unenviable predicament when dozens of NPF youth gheraoed him at the MLA Hostel while he had reportedly gone to MLA Tarie Zeliang`s room to `coerce` him to join the band of dissidents against the Neiphiu Rio government.

However, while Tarie, sensing some trouble, fled from his room, Lungalang, who was accosted by the youths, fled into a nearby room in which Congress MLA Nungsang was taking up residence.

Incidentally, Congress leader and MLA, KV Pusa and MLA Medokul were also present in the room when Lungalang took refuge in the room.

When the angry crowd of NPF youths were gheraoing the NSCN (IM) leader and when the situation threatened to take an ugly turn, other senior NSCN (IM) members also intervened.

They, however, clarified that Lungalang was not sent by the outfit`s leaders and that he was there out of his own interests.

However, after the NSCN (IM) leaders assured that the leader would be taken to Dimapur this evening itself and that he would not be allowed to create further trouble, was he allowed to be taken away.

Mention may be made that 22 MLAs from the ruling DAN government of Nagaland had submitted a petition to Nagaland Governor two days back saying that they had withdrawn their supports to Neiphiu Rio as the chief minister.

Chief minister Neiphiu Rio rushed back to Kohima on Thursday from New Delhi on hearing the development. The Nagaland Congress unit has stated that it would lend its support to the dissidents DAN MLAs from outside in the event of the formation of a new government by them.
Is the Indo-Naga peace talk going in the right direction? By Waikhom Damodar Singh Contd from previous issue
However, the then Prime Minister of India, (late) Jawaharlal Nehru vehemently disapproved the move of the few sections of the Naga radicals headed by Phizo with the declaration of the same in the Parliament by describing that such a demand of the Nagas of the Naga Hills District was something ‘unwise, impracticable and unacceptable from all points of views’.
Thus having no other alternative the Nagas under Phizo proclaimed their own “Federal independent sovereign Government” as a ‘de facto Sovereign Government’ on March 22, 1956 as already described at the outset and they began to resort to heavy armed violence on a planned scale by the heavily armed Nagas of the so-called Naga Army who later on came to be known as Naga Hostiles (NHGS).
In order to check the outburst of the armed revolution or uprising so taken place in an unassuming proportion the Indian Army was immediately pressed into action who appropriately and with very heavy hands dealt with the armed uprising and the very alarming and critical situation that had flared up was brought under control.
The stern action taken by the Indian Army forced many revolutionary Nagas to go underground. Phizo himself had escaped out through the jungles of the Mikir hills and Sylhet (erstwhile East Pakistan) and landed in London and lived under the care of Reverend Michael Scott as an English citizen till he died there later on due to prolonged illness.
The subversive activities of the Naga Hostiles then spread in alarming proportion over the areas of the hill districts of Manipur, namely Mao, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel and later on of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh States. However, since the Naga people had underwent many unimaginable hardships and untold sufferings due to the armed uprising, a change in the attitudes of the Naga moderates led by Dr Imkongliba Ao, P Shilu Ao, Jasokie Angami etc soon took place, in that, they preferred to resolve the issue in peaceful manner by immediately giving up the violent activities and their original plan and hypothetical claim of “cessation from India”, and therefore an agreement was arrived at in the larger interest of the Naga people of the Naga Hills district.
The Government of India therefore very leniently granted, as a very special case, the Naga Hills district to the status of another full-fledged state (the 16th) of the Indian Union without giving any consideration of the points of non-viabilities for becoming it a state, particularly the financial aspects. The new State of Nagaland came into existence with effect from 1st December 1963 as was inaugurated by Dr Sarvapalli Radha-krishnan, the former President of India with Shri P Shilu Ao as the first Chief Minister of the State.
Thus, in due course of time the ‘flame of insurgency’ in Nagaland and the revolutionary spirit and feelings of the majority of her people died down to some extent but it continued to escalate and burn rather more vigorously and on a wider scale affecting a large areas of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh States, particularly after the emergence of a new group of Naga insurgents under the name of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), who walked out from the NNC organisation pioneered by Phizo as they strongly dissented and firmly opposed the so-called Shillong Peace Accord signed in between the Government and the leaders of the pro-Phizo group of the NNC on November 11, 1976.
The Shillong peace accord had taken place under the initiative of the then combined Governor of Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura, Shri Lalan Prassad (LP Singh), a retired ICS officer and formerly Union Home Secretary to the Government of India.
The split revolutionary group under the name of National Socialist Council of Nagaland was formed in 1980 with Issak Swu, a Sumi or Sema Naga, as its Chairman, S.S. Khaplang, a Burmese Homi Naga Tribe and Thuingaleng Muivah, a Tangkhul tribe, born and brought up in Manipur’s Ukhrul district (Somdal village) as the vice-President and the General Secretary respectively as a result of decisions taken in a meeting of the Naga National Council faction held in a place in the border area of Burma sometime in 1975 who sternly rejected the Shillong Peace Accord and had defected from the parent NNC group challenging the further leadership of Phizo and his later-on diverted policy of somewhat succumbing to the submissive tactics adopted by the Government of India.
However dissenting feelings started brewing up soon amongst the top leaders of the factional party on the ground that Issac Swu and Thuinga-leng Muivah were planning to start negotiations for a dialogue for peace with the Government of India within the framework of the Indian Constitution by ousting Khaplang who was surely to oppose the move - it was on this highly suspected ground that a large column of Khaplang’s men attacked Muivah’s group, killing nearly 150 of them in a ‘dawn raid’ launched in a place in the Nagaland-Burma border area - this incident led to a split of the party of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland into two organisations, one known as NSCN(K) group, and another as NSCN(IM) group.
Before the split it was believed that the desires of Issak Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah were only a rumour but the reality of their secret move had subsequently been proved correct as they had met later on the Prime Minister of India, namely, PV Narashimha Rao, first in Paris and later on in New York in 1995, HD Deve Gowda in Zurich in February 1997, Atal Behari Vajpayee in Tokyo in 2002, and they had since been carrying out the so called ‘Indo-Naga Peace Talk’ saying that the process so taken up by both sides aim to keep a permanent ‘Peace’ in Nagaland and its adjoining States of Manipur, Assam and Aruna-chal Pradesh.
So far so good, well done! all will say most heartily to the NSCN (IM) group for their coming to good senses now, particularly to Muivah for his initiatives taken in this regard as the General Secretary of the organisation showing now all the good gestures though a pretty long time have been wasted during which heavy bloodshed and loss of many precious and innocent lives had occurred.
But what is not appreciated is about their very arrogant and adamant stand on a very much ‘communally coloured’ move for building up a domain for a people of very much heterogenous ‘conglomeration’ under the coverage of rather a very superficial, non-indigenous or non-original and unnatural ‘appellation’ of very recent origin called ‘Nagas’ (a Sobriquet - sobriqay - an assumed name originated from Assamese word ‘Noka-Manu’ meaning hill-man which came into application only from the time of British rule in India) by disintegrating the very natural and indigenous areas of the north east region of India and Burma.
— To be contd
For insurgents in Manipur, violence is business The Morung Express
Imphal, June 1 (ANI): People of Manipur have realised that insurgency is convenient excuse for those involved in it to make money. Distressed at the insurgents’ devious ways, Manipuris have sought an end to the violence against innocent civilians.
People have realised that militants are continuing with their activities with no noble aims, but are indulging in violence only to collect money. In fact they are earning more than the law abiding citizens. Traders are tired of paying money to the militants. ‘We do not make much profit in our business. We have to spend a substantial amount in transportation of our goods. What is left after selling them is hardly enough to run a home,’ said Shormilla, a trader. Shutdowns and blockades have become frequent in the State. Life virtually comes to a standstill and businessmen have to keep their establishments closed. Supply of commodities too gets disrupted.
Poor families, who are dependent on daily wages, are affected badly. Ibobi, a rickshaw puller, said: ‘I earn around 50 to 100 rupees per day, but when there is a shutdown, I go home without any earning’.
Transporters have been demanding complete freedom from insurgency and their gun culture. The Transporters and Drivers Council of Manipur called for a two-day shutdown on May 13-14 to demand an end to extortion and illegal demands made by militant groups.
Samarjit, a bus driver, said: ‘These days, we are facing a lot of problems. The underground groups are demanding so much money, that we don’t feel like working. If the situation continues like this, we will be ruined.’
‘We have suffered a lot at the hands of militancy. There are so many underground groups who keep demanding money time and again’, said Sangbad, a transport company owner. Imphal’s Inter State Bus Terminus connects Manipur with the neighbouring states. If the bus terminus is closed, it not only affects the movements of people, but also affects the transport of vegetables and local products. ‘Most of the passengers, especially women vendors, depend on transport for their livelihood. If the transporters refuse to ply vehicles, then the passengers and vendors have to suffer. In this way, militants are snatching away the livelihood,’ a Government official said.
Many development projects in the State have been stalled due to threats from insurgent groups.
Militancy is eating into Manipur’s economy. People want development, but the militants are keeping the State poor and backward.
9 killed in Manipur as violence peaks The Morung Express
Imphal, June 1 (Agencies): At least nine people, including a paramilitary trooper, were killed in separate insurgency-related violence in Manipur even as security forces in strength have been deployed in vulnerable areas, officials said Friday.
A police spokesman said three volunteers of the Anti-Narcotic and Drug Organisation (ANDO), a non-governmental group spearheading a campaign to eliminate drug abuse in the state, were shot dead Thursday near Wangoi in Imphal West district, close to state capital Imphal.
'Unidentified militants shot at the three ANDO workers from close range. Two of them were killed near the magistrate's office complex in Wangoi and another was shot dead a little further by the same rebels on motorcycle,' police official B. Singh said. The immediate provocation for the killing of the three anti-drugs workers was not known. 'This is a highly condemnable incident as these three men who were killed were involved in working towards ending the drug menace in the state,' Naorem Mema, ANDO president, told a news agency. The problem of drug abuse in the state is very serious. Manipur lies on the heroin producing 'golden triangle' of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand and independent estimates have put the number of regular injectable drug users, a key cause of HIV infection in the state, at close to 200,000.
In another incident, a trooper of the Manipur Rifles was killed in an encounter Thursday with the rebels of the outlawed Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) near village Gapizang in Senapati district, about 80 km from Imphal. 'A posse of Manipur Rifles was on way to a Gapizang area to conduct a raid following reports of rebel movement. The militants fired at the soldiers from a hilltop killing one trooper on the spot,' the police official said.
Militants of the Kuki National Front (KNF) shot dead five of its cadre Thursday for allegedly deserting their camps with weapons. 'The five were executed for fleeing the camp with weapons. We have recovered all the weapons,' Gebron Kuki, a spokesman of the KNF, said in a statement Friday. Both the KRA and the KNF are fighting for independent homeland for the minority Kuki tribe in Manipur, bordering Myanmar.
'We have intensified security in all vulnerable areas,' the police official said.
There are some 19-odd-rebel groups active in Manipur demands of which range from secession to autonomy to right to self-determination. More than 10,000 people have lost their lives to insurgency in Manipur, bordering Myanmar, during the past two decades.
4 KYKL cadres, 1 PULF man killed AR guns down 5 ahead of by-polls
By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
Imphal, Jun 1 : Assam Rifles have intensified its counter insurgency operation in the State killing at least five rebels in two separate encounters one day ahead of by-election to Khangabok and Khundrakpam Assembly Constituencies.
While three alleged cadres of the proscribed Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) were killed at Kasom village in Ukhrul district another suspected member of PULF outfit was gunned down last evening.
AR spokesman Col LM Pant said acting on a tip off about presence of underground cadres, troops of 1 Assam Rifles posted at Kasom in Ukhrul district conducted an operation at Manthuram village towards Myanmar border on Thursday night.
During the operation some underground cadres fired upon the troops around 6.15pm and in the retaliatory action three cadres of KYKL were killed, he said.
Two AK 56 rifles and 240 live rounds were recovered from the slain cadres whose identities are yet to be ascertained, the spokesman said adding that the bodies have been handed over to Kasom Khullen police station.
In another encounter a top activist of the proscribed People’s United Liberation Front (PULF) was gunned down by Assam Rifles personnel during a shoot out at Arapti Lamkhai under Lilong Police Station at around 10.25 pm yesterday. Another activist who came along with the slain person managed to escape on a motor cycle.
The slain activist has been identified as Md Zakir (32) s/o Md Fadi Jaman of Lilong Chingjao. He was holding the rank of a corporal in the outfit.
In a statement, PRO of Assam Rifles said that troops of 32 Assam Rifles laid an ambush at Lilong yesterday. At about 10.30 pm two persons on a motor cycle came towards NH-39 and on being challenged to stop, they tried to escape with the pillion driver firing at the troops, said the PRO and added that in retaliatory firing one of them was killed. According to reports, following a special tipoff on the movement of underground activists in the area, troopers of 32 Assam Rifles stationed next to Lilong Police Station led by its own post commander VC Sharma were lying in wait when they spotted two motor cycle borne youths coming along in a suspicious manner.
When signalled to stop, the pillion rider suddenly fired at the security personnel. The AR troopers also retaliated the firing and killed the youth. One AK-56 rifles, two magazines, 12 live rounds of ammunition, six empty cases of bullets, one Indian made hand grenade, one tooth brush, one bottle of Ayush hair oil and one Ponds powder have also been reportedly recovered from the possession of the slain activist. The slain cadre is identified as slain Md Zakir belonged to PULF (Omar) group. He was a married family man having two kids.There were many fatal bullet marks all over his body. Post mortem of the body was conducted at Lilong PHC and later handed over the same to his family members.

When Britannia waves sank Manipur : A genesis By Donn Morgan Kipgen Sangai Express
When the British East India Company (EIC) was regally proclaimed as a public trading institution on behalf of the expanding British imperialism in 1600 AD by the young Virgin Queen, Her Majesty Elizabeth Tudor I, the Kingdom of Manipur was at her height socio-politico-militarily. Like the feudal Scottish, the Chiefs of the hill areas were not vassals nor legal allies at that particular time period.
However, by the 18th Century AD, there had been close relationship between the King of Manipur and some powerful Kuki chiefs socio-militarily. The Thadou-Kukis were the vanguard and strike arms of the Royal Manipuri Ar-my in all punitive or military campaigns led by the rulers of Manipur when it came to all hill areas; the after-effects of which adventures still resounded upto this day. And two important events were connected to the disastrous Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891, which eventually en-ded Manipur sovereignty.
In 1856, Maharaja Chandrakirti, on the advice of the then Political Agent Col McCulloch, organised a hasty military expedition to subdue the Thadou warriors of Molben who were on war path. Led by the King himself, the royal forces were assisted by around 1000 friendly Suhte warriors sent by the Chief of Sangnao camped at an open river bank without Recee patrols and defence stockades. When Chief of Molbem led 2000 Thadou musketeers made a swift 3-pronged attacks, the fleeing Army left behind their own Maharaja stranded along with few Suhte warriors under one Chongja. Earlier, the Thadou commander asked the Suhtes to remain neutral these particular warpaths were being launched to avenge the treacherous assassinations of two Thadou-Kukis principal envoys by the Maharaja’s brother-in-law at the Manipur Durbar, despite being given assurance and safe-passage at the invitation of Col. McCulloch- just like the killing of Mr Quiton and 4 British officers in the Royal Durbar at Fort Kangla in 1891. Coming back to the deserted Maharaja Chandrakirti at the mercy of the enraged Molbem Thadou warriors, a brave Suhte-Kuki commander fired off his musket round and asked the Thadou warriors to kill him, i.e. Chongja, who stood bravely as a human shield, first and then only after kill the unprotected Maharaja. Because of this supreme act of courage and loyalty shown by Chongja, both of them were spared by the equally courageous and Chivalrous Thadou-Kuki Chief of Molbem. In gratitude and honour of these chivalrous acts by both sides, the Maharaja of Manipur changed the existing Law of Manipuri Successorship to that of the Kukis, i.e direct successorship to the throne by the eldest son thenceforth and not by the youngest son.
That relatively new Royal Decree of Succession virtually sowed the seeds of the Anglo-Manipuri war in 1891 when the Maharaja Surchandra Singh went to Calcutta to meet higher British authorities for his rightful re-instatement as sole Sovereign ruler. A war of successionship had earlier erupted with 3 qualified pretenders which proved to be gift in horse mouth with silver spoon for the British politico-military administrators which automatically opened a peaceful doors to meddle with in the princely State administration. That’s exactly how the Britishers dictated terms in Manipur Royal Court with full authority, in a divided house. When Raja Surchandra was officially recognised as a loyal sovereign by the British, the Royal Durbar military attache took a disastrously undue advantage with lust for absolute powers without a battle-trained regular standing army brigade. So, when the political agents, Mr Quinton, Mr Grimwood with 3 British officers went into Fort Kangla on second attempt for a last ditch diplomatic parleys/negotiation on the intervening night of 23rd/24th March, 1891, they were all killed treacherously in fit of anger. With the advises of Thangal Major and Paona Major, Maharaja Surchandra Singh declared a State of War immediately. The nearest British military post under one Jamadar Birbal Nagarkoti at Langthabal were under the impression that the 5 British officials were take as hostage and were still alive. In order to ‘rescue the hostages’, Jamadar Nagarkoti and his 34 Gorkha Riflemen decided to inform the British army Hq at Tammu at the double for reinforced rescue mission. The Gorkha rifle platoon of the 43rd Regt managed to reach Tammu in 2 days period of forced March by eluding the Manipuri outposts at Pallel and Tengnoupal, an outstanding military feat. This started another astoundingly majestic military exploits, a 40 hand-picked rescue party led by a young British sub-attern of the Madras Regt along with another 40 Gorkhas of 43rd Regt. With specific order from Maj Gen Stewart (not related to Lt. Stewart of the British 22nd Regt), out marched the real military doomsday 80-man party for the Kingdom of Manipur, the beginning of the end, on 27th March 1891. This light and lightning composite company was armed with 40 Snider rifles and 40 Henry-Martini rifles, with just 100 Rds and 50 rounds each respectively. But they were on course with a tryst with outstanding victories in sharp skirmishes and the most decisive victory at the Battle of Thoubal Athokpam with almost 1:10 numerical ratio disadvantage which earned him the Victoria Cross, the highest gallantry award in the British Empire and, of course, the title ‘Hero of Thoubal’ as dubbed by the British media back home in England. This young veteran British Army officer and his tiny 80 men ‘rescue company’ routed, defeated and disorganised about 50% of the regular Manipuri Royal Army, about 800 men who were badly needed and missed at the Khongjom battlefield. It is quite strange this famous Battle of Thoubal Athokpam, March 1891, has still been kept aside by local and contemporary historians despite the fact that it was militarily, tactically and psychologically more decisive than the sharp but short Battle of Khongjom during the Anglo-Manipuri war of 1891.
Who was this real hero of the 1891 war? It was none other than Lt. Grant, Madras Regt, the son of Lt Gen Douglas Grant of the Indian staff corps, London Hq. Contrary to an account written by a local historian, Lt. Gen D Gant was not one of the General officers who took part in the Anglo-Manipuri war, nor was he involved in any part of that war, it was only his brave son, Lt. Grant (VC) of Thoubal fame who arguably changed the course of Manipur history. A Sandhurst graduate, Lt. Grant was commissioned into the British 12th Regt i.e The Suffolk Regt (renamed: The Royal Anglian Regt) in 1882 during the Anglo-Burmese war where he was seriously wounded and sent back home. But with indomitable mental and physical fighting spirit, he returned hale and hearty to India and joined the Madras Regt (102nd Regt) 1890 at its formation. Lt. Grant earlier spent his military career in England and Ireland. However, it was in Manipur where his biggest fortune, luck and fame awaited him in the form of three smashing victories, including the Battle of Thoubal Athokpam and the sharp battle at Tomjing Hillocks against all odds. His 80-man army first routed and overran the Pallel Garrison manned, rather unmanly, by 200 Manipuri regular army.
Pursued over 3 miles distance 3 Manipuris were captured, which gave them valuable information, one of them being the bat-man of Aprai Major. Here he was shocked to learn the death of 5 British officers at Fort Kangla but he still marched on undaunted for punitive operations. On the night of 30th March, he marched towards Thoubal-Athokpam where 800 Manipuri soldiers under Chongtha Major awaited them but without any intelligence reports of the size and fire-power of Lt. Grant’s men. A swift skirmish ensued wherein Lt. Grant’s 80-man army smashed their way through the Manipuris’ 800 men formation. Over 20 Manipuri fallen soldiers were left behind. The remaining Manipuri regrouped with reserve forces having mountain guns at Tomjing Hillock, about 500-600 soldiers. Surprisingly, the Manipuri commander sent a parley-message that both sides could peacefully disengaged if wanted. With depleted ammunition and few minor casualties, Lt Grant stoutly refused the offer, happily realising that the Manipuri commanders had no idea of his exact strength and boldly took them on with smashing victories. Defeated, disorganised and demoralised, these Manipuris soldiers were not available as military and numerically required during the short but decisive Battle of Khongjom. Had it not been for the dashing Lt Gant of Thoubal fame, things would be quite different during Battle of Khongjom. More interestingly, the Kuki Chiefs refused to take part in that war because of the treacherous killings of two Kuki Chiefs’ envoy at the Royal Durbar not so long ago and the Kukis really realised the overwhelming strength and avenging purpose of that mighty British military campaign. For the record, Lt Grant miraculously survived a neck shot during the Battle of Khongjom and was promoted to the rank of Major for his smashing and brilliant military achievements. His place in military world history is on par with Arthur Wellesley of Waterloo, Wingate of Burma, Lawrence of Arabia, Rommel of North Africa, Alexander of Macedonia, Lt. Stewart of Manipur Hills etc amongst hosts of military geniuses.

A failed State Sangai Express Editorial
By any standard or definition, Manipur aptly fits the bill of a Failed State, where everything has gone to the dogs and the presence of numerous pressure groups, each working under their own agenda has only made things worse. Ever since Manipur attained Statehood way back in 1972, it has been a tale of misgovernance and misadventure with successive Governments failing to deliver the goods. While it is difficult to exactly pin point one reason for the ills afflicting the State, it would not be wrong to say that the chief factor behind all the ills that we see today is because of the failure of the Government to function effectively. Today governance has come to mean serving the interest of only the political class and the Babus in Government Departments while the common people have been left to their fate to fend themselves. Seen against this backdrop, we may safely conclude that the mushrooming of so many pressure groups based on ethnicity is due to the failure of the Government to govern. Delhi and Mumbai may gloat over the economic progress it has made since India opened its economy in the 90s and the job market in the private sector may be booming with the Sensex surging ahead, but Manipur continues to slide back and sink deeper into the morass of helplessness. The worst hit in such a situation is undoubtedly the common people who have no clout or the muscle and money power to assert themselves. In fact the common people today have become the football of everyone's opinion, the Government's, the numerous pressure groups, the moral policemen etc. To top this, the people too have to cope with the numerous bandhs and economic blockades, for which Manipur is now infamous today.
What are the solutions to all the ills afflicting Manipur today is then the question that ought to have been asked and worked upon by the political leadership of the State a long, long time back. It is something of a tragedy that instead of working towards a solution to ease the suffering of the people, it is the political leadership which is today regarded as the chief mischief makers and there is nothing to smile over this. Forget about the facilities being offered by the 21st century, even the most basic of needs are seen as something of a luxury here. There is load shedding through out the year and the situation has been going from bad to worse. Health care is at best available only at Imphal. The same is the case with primary education. With each power player dipping their fingers in the pie that the State receives as doles from New Delhi, there is no way responsibility can be fixed and what we see today is the blame game between these power players. Indeed the situation is such that today in Manipur, there is nothing to differentiate between donation and coerced donation. Everything comes with a price, but the price that the people of Manipur have been paying all these years could have been avoided easily if only some sincere efforts are made.