95th Death Anniversary of Freedom Fighter Pu Chengjapao Kuki (Doungel) observed at Haflong

 

Haflong, 28 August 2023 - The Kuki community of Dima Hasao on 28th August 2023 observed the 95th Death Anniversary of Freedom Fighter Pu Chengjapao Kuki (Doungel) at Songpijang, Haflong in Dima Hasao (earlier N.C.Hills) District, Assam.

 In this connection, the public meeting was organized by Kuki Inpi Assam (KIA) at SYC Hall of Songpijang, Haflong in Dima Hasao (earlier N.C.Hills) District, Assam.

Conducting the programme,  Mr. Lalkam Hengna, Secretary KIA, welcomed all participants and briefed about the programme. He also thanked the GB and SYC leaders for sparing and arranging the Hall for the programme.

Then, led by KIA Adviser Rev. Letlam Lenthang, one minute silence was observed to pay tribute to the Freedom Fighters Pu Chengjapao Kuki (Doungel) and colleagues. 

Condolence was also conducted to victims of ethnic violence in Manipur. The adviser also prayed those Freedom fighters and all victims in Manipur and to prevail peace in the land.

Speech on the works and contribution of Pu Chengjapao Kuki (Doungel) and his colleagues was delivered by former KIA President Mr. Suonmang Changsan. He mentioned most of the points written by late Pu T.K.Doungel in his book, which are given below. 

Speaking on the occasion, KIA President Mr. Thanglun Changsan informed the gathering about the significance of Anglo-Kuki War fought by the then Kuki Chiefs. He also reminded all that the Kuki community also successfully protected the NC Hills (now Dima Hasao) district from external Angami aggression. According to the writer of the Anglo-Kuki War, the Kukis could fought the mighty British and protects their land from other external aggression as they have good administrative set up, which unite all the villages and their Chiefs. He also explained  the present position of the Kuki populace. He also exhorted the community that every Kuki individual must take part in shaping the future of the Kuki community.

Then, the conductor Mr LK Hengna given a short speech on the day's topic, Pu Chengjapao Kuki and other Freedom Fighters, the Anglo-Kuki War and how Late Pu T.K.Doungel authored the Life and work of Pu Chengjapao Doungel (Kuki). He thanked the wife of  Late Pu T.K.Doungel for attending the day's programme.

Mr. Hengna also briefed about the present condition of the Kuki community and the necessity to boldly unite and work for the better future of the Kuki community. He also extended thanks to all the gathering and also announced the subjects for mass prayer, such as to pray for the departed souls of freedom fighters Pu Chengjapao and colleagues as well as for victims of ethnic violence in Manipur and families , peace in Manipur and in all Kuki inhabited regions, pray for leaders of all the Kuki Inpis, KSO, KWA, other Kuki CSOs, Haosas and all Kuki community.

This, all the participants pray together with the given subjects.

The meeting concluded with closing prayer and benediction from Rev. Lallun Haolai.

 Mention may be made here that Late Pu Chengjapao Doungel (Kuki) was Chief of Aisan, the city of Doungel clan. The historical record in many places called him as Chengjapao Kuki as surname of all those who served in British and even after Independence were not written but only Kuki is written. His statue with other Kuki Freedom fighters wer in the Historical Museum at Kolkota city. He fought the British Raj, along with his colleagues Late Enkhup Kuki ( Kholhou), Late Tintong Kuki (Haokip), Late Kilkhong Kuki and others, during 1917-1919 ( World War I). These freedom fighters did not surrendered and are till date recorded as ‘Unsurrendered and uncompromised war’, it ca even be called ‘Unconquered War by the British’ as the Kuki people did never surrendered before the Britisher. They did not even accepted the offer of land or state by the Britisher after they won the Word War saying “It is our land, how can you have authority over our native land and allot us land when we are the owner, we have inherited it since time immemorial”.

 The Kuki people, under the leadership of the four heroes, organized themselves and fought a historic battle with a mixture of traditional as well as modern welfare to defend the land and oust the foreign rullers. They had applied traditional warfare such as ‘Snar made of stone known as MANKHONG in Kuki’, ‘”Snar of wild animals, made with wire called THANGTE ’, ‘Snar of sharp  bamboo pin called SOU’ etc. One interesting is that they had also applied an instrument of sound system by installing Bamboo contain with bamboo water pipe. This instrument is a peculiar designed for UP Down system, called SOH. Water made to flow into Bamboo container TUITHEI,( upper level is container while the lower portion be empty) and goes down the upper side to pour out water and when empty it turn again in the same erect position.In this return the bamboo hit the other hole bamboo, producing a drum like sound. The sound was heard as if some one was cutting bamboo or firewood. The same was installed in a low-lying place or stream. The British army used to rushed there to find the Kuki fighters. Then, the Kuki fighters let loose the Stone snar from upper side and killed or wounded British armies.

 

The Kuki leaders also joined hands with Indian National Army (INA) under Netaji Subhas Ch.Bose.

 What the British afraid most was that those Kuki people produced ammunition for themselves, continued to use their few handmade gun. When the British army leaders learnt that news, they thought the Kuki people were one of the toughest to subdue, changed policy. They started to convince few Kuki employees, who work under their control. It is not to finish the story here and end up without conclusion here.

 

This observation have been organized every year since some years back, calling in Kuki ‘THINI” meaning ‘Death Anniversary’ by the under the leadership of the ‘Chengjapao Doungel Memorial Trust Committee’. The story of Chengjapao and others have been written by many writers and recorded in many histories as Freedom Fighters and already widely published in newspapers, journals and books.

In honour of all the Kuki Freedom Fighter, the statue of the main Chief Pu Chengjapao Kuki (Doungel) has been erected in M.Tilla Tiniali, in Upper Songpijang area, near Haflong in Dima Hasao (earlier 'NC Hills) district of Assam. The names of most of the Kuki  Freedom Fighters are written in the statue.