Imphal, Mar 7 (UNI) Chief Minister N. Biren Singh unveiled a statue
of Saheed Subedar Niranjan Singh Chhetri, who took an active part in the Anglo-Manipur War, 1891 and a confidant of Prince Bir Tikendrajit, at Kanglatongbi in Imphal West District today.
Subedar Niranjan was hanged to death by the Britishers for his role in the war on June 8, 1891, along with four others. He served as a Sepoy in the 34th Native Infantry of the British Army. However, he left the Britishers to join the Army of Manipur kingdom. He was appointed as a Subedar by Bir Tikendrajit.
N. Biren Singh said that Gorkhas should never get discouraged with
the notion that they belong to a minority community in Manipur. He
stated that the Government would never tolerate the suppression of
smaller groups by bigger communities.
The story of Subedar Niranjan Singh Chhetri is the testimony that
Gorkhas also contributed their mite in safeguarding the freedom of
Manipur, he observed. The Chief Minister further said that
the construction of statues of patriots, who had laid down their lives for the sake of the motherland, is going on at different places. These include Thangal General, Chirai Naga, Maharaj Gambhir Singh, Maharaj Narsingh, etc., he added.
As requested by the Gorkha community of Manipur, another statue of Subedar Niranjan Singh Chhetri would be erected at a proper place soon, the Chief Minister announced.
He said that severing ties with the British to join hands with his
fellow Manipuris was Subedar Niranjan’s unique personality. That is
why people of Manipur call him a hero, and his bravery, patriotism and love for his fellow Manipuris are fondly remembered till today, the Chief Minister pointed out.
He further said that a memorial stone engraved with the names of
those, who were exiled to Kalapani after Anglo-Manipur War, would also be erected soon near Saheed Minar so that people may pay homage on Patriots’ Day.
A book titled, “Saheed Niranjan Singh Chhetri, the Unsung hero of
Anglo-Manipur (Khongjom) War, 1891”, authored by Ghanashyam Acharya and a booklet titled, “Sahid Subedar Niranjan Chhetry, Bharat Emagi Athouba Mapari” by Ajit Das was also released on the occasion.
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