continued WOMEN'S WAR AGAINST TYRANNY,1939

Guwahati 18 December,2008

KING ROBS SUBJECTS

MANIPURI WOMEN REBELS

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Manipur king-a British stooge literally - cornered Manipuri women,known for their first uprising in 1904 to rise against state repression, economic exploitation and all forms of subjugation with the help of his AXIS of EVIL,as cited.

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Price of rice rose from Re.1,4 annas to Rs.3,4 annas per maund in 1939-1940 at a time when rice and chira had been exported, despite the shortage of food in Manipur state.

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The Meetei king had imposed heavy,exorbitant taxes on the helpless Manipuri people like- Kumjanshel, pajnapet,chandan shenkhai,Mangba-shengba taxes imposed by the Brahamasabha, compulsory bribe to Pandit loishang, Aamin Kumsha, Wakheishel from winner of a case,Sheltek and Mityeng shentri forcibly collected from the helpless rural people.

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The Aamins who received a small monthly salary of Rs.10 to 20 pm had to exploit the rural people in terms of all their basic needs and comfort. If nature had allowed a tera tree to grow on its own in a subject's garden, the tyrant would collect heavy tax.

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If a dead cow had been found in some one's garden, the entire family would be punished, banished by the Meetei king.The relic of the tyranny could be found among some dyed-in- the wool Meetei elements, who pulled out the tyrannical institution from the skeleton cupboard ,even today and re-construct his ghost thereby reminding all the hill and plain people of their irreversible , untold sufferings time and again.

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In narrative of my father,in his own first hand account ,as he did witness_ if a Manipuri woman went with uncombed hairs on the road, the tyrant would catch hold of her hair by his icy, barbaric hands and teach a lesson in full public view.

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The dreaded Brahmasabha regularly prepared a list of Meetei Hindus to be excommunicated first purposefully and to be purified after collecting huge fine; May 1,1939 list included the name of leader Hijam Irabot,among others.Extortion had been continued institutionally. Meetei Hindus groaned in his regime .

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Meetei Snamahis who followed their ancient Meetei God, the ancestors of the present day revivalist movement had been ostracized, banished,humiliated as untouchables like never before.The dead body of a Sanamahi would be treated like that of a cattle .His son also continued the latter programme successfully.The excommunicated Meetei Snamahis were :

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[1] Aheibam Tombapu, Lairenmayum Nitai, Sanjenbam Yaimachou,Konjengbam Nabachandra,.... [38] Moirangthem Bokul.[cf.Manipur past and present vol.II.p. 118 for details]

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next-20 Dec.2008