An RTI report revealed that no order or permission was granted for the construction of ‘Anglo-Kuki War 1917-19’ Centenary Gate located in Leisang village between Torbung and Churachandpur along National Highway-02, Churachandpur district.
The RTI was filed by Republican Party of India (Athawale) national secretary Maheshwar Thounaojam on January 17 at the Public Works Department (PWD).
The RTI reply issued and signed by Executive Engineer National Highway Division No. III, PWD, Manipur A Amarjit Meitei mentioned that no order or permission was granted for construction of Anglo-Kuki War Centenary gate located at National Highway-02, Churachandpur district.
It mentioned that a letter was given to the Deputy Commissioner for removal of advertisement hoardings, signboards, banners, statues along National Highways by this office vide letter No. EE/NH-III/Misc/2022-23/196 dated December 19, 2022.
Maheshwar on his facebook page also uploaded a post, stating that “Today I would like to share the reply to my RTI from Superintending Engineer (HQ) , PWD Manipur regarding the biased Anglo Kuki War Centenary Gate at National Highway 2, Churachandpur District.
The concerned department has replied that there is no any permission for the construction of the Centenary Gate and the concerned department sent a letter to the concerned Deputy Commissioner for removal of such hoardings on December 19, 2022.
I urge the concerned department to carry out the same at the earliest in the interest of the public as it is a part of a distorted history which had not happened at any point of time.”
The national secretary of RPI(A) also posted the same in his X account along with the RTI response made by the PWD officials.
Maheshwar told the media in Imphal on Monday that since May 3, 2023, the Kuki Zo community backed by illegal immigrants and Kuki militants have been spreading false propaganda that the Meitei community reportedly tried to burn down Anglo Kuki War Centenary Gate. Some individuals or groups also tried to distort history by including Anglo Kuki war 1917-19 in the academic syllabus, he said.
Seeking information regarding construction of the said gate, he had filed the RTI application at the PWD department and received the response from the concerned department on Monday, he added.
An instruction was given to concern DC on December 19, 2022 for removal of the said gate. “Why has the authority concerned not fulfilled the instruction?” he questioned.
He further appealed to the authority concerned to remove the said Centenary Gate, asserting that there should not be any distorted history. “The concerned department and authority should also inform the public that the history of Centenary Gate is based on a concocted fictional war,” he added.
The Federation of Haomee had earlier lodged an FIR in Imphal West police station against retired colonel Vijay Chenji who had authored the ‘The Anglo-Kuki War 1917-19’ and edited by two assistant professors Jangkhomang Guite and Thongkholal Haokip. The FIR charged with inciting “war against the Government of India” and promoting “enmity between different groups.”
