Gorkha martyr Niranjan Singh Chhetri's massive statue unveiled in Manipur

GUWAHATI: Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh today unveiled a statue of the legendary Gorkha Subedar Niranjan Singh Chhetri who was sentenced to death by the British colonialists at Kanglatombi.

 

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CM Biren speaks at the unveiling[/caption]

 

Subedar Niranjan Singh Chhetri led the contingent of Native Gorkhali soldiers for revolutionary Manipuri hero Jubraj Tekendrajit Singh.

 

After unveiling the statue, Biren tweeted, "Immensely glad to unveil the statue of Saheed Subedar Niranjan Singh Chhetri, one of the heroes of Ango-Manipur War,1891.His bravery,patriotism & sacrificial spirit for the motherland were unparalleled. He was hanged to death by the British on June 8,1891 for his role in the war."

 

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When East India Company was taking over different parts of India bit by bit and entered Manipur, the Manipuri hero Jubraj Bir Tekendrajit Singh decided to fight against the British. Much like Chattrapati Shivaji and Rani Laxmibai, Jubraj Tekendrajit Singh became a martyr on the battlefield.

 

 

According to Manipur Who is Who – 1891, published by the Government in 1990, Niranjan Chhetri was sentenced to death on June 8, 1891.

 

He left the British Army to join the native force of Manipur led by Prince Tikendrajit and Thangal General. Niranjan Chhetri was appointed as a Subedar in the native rebel army by the Prince himself.

 

His last words were: “My birthplace is my Motherland, I am ready to die for this land, and I am ready to kill for this land… but I am not ready to accept surrender and subjugation of my own land”