Imphal: National secretary, Republican Party of India (Athawale), Maheshwar Thounaojam on Monday said 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.
Maheshwor said this based on an RTI report. He filed for the RTI on January 17 at the Public Works Department (PWD).
“The RTI report issued and signed by A. Amarjit Meitei, Executive Engineer, National Highway Division No. III, PWD, Manipur mentioned that no order or permission was granted for the construction of the Anglo-Kuki War Centenary gate located at National Highway-02, Churahandpur district,” he said.
“It mentioned that a letter was given to the deputy commissioner for the removal of advertisement hoardings, signboards, banners and statues along National Highways by this office vide letter No. EE/NH-III/Misc/2022-23/196 dated 19/12/2022,” he added.
Maheshwar on his Facebook page also posted, “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 replied that there was no permission for the construction of the Centenary Gate and the concerned department sent a letter to the concerned Deputy Commissioner for the removal of such hoardings on 19/12/2022.”
“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 reporters here that since May 3 last year, 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 tried to distort the history by including the Anglo-Kuki war 1917-19 in the academic syllabus.
He said that he filed the RTI at the PWD department to seek information regarding the construction of the said gate. He added that he received the response from the concerned department on Monday.
He said an instruction was given to the concerned DC on December 19, 2022 for the removal of the said gate. “Why the authority concerned is not able to fulfill the instruction?”
He appealed to the authority concerned to remove the said Anglo Kuki War Centenary Gate as there should not be any distorted history after concerning for the coming generation. “The concerned department and authority should also highlight to the public that the history of Anglo Kuki War Centenary Gate is a concocted fictional war,” he said.
Earlier, the Federation of Haomee had lodged an FIR in Imphal West police station against the author of the book “The Anglo-Kuki War 1917-19” written by retired colonel Vijay Chenji and edited by two assistant professors Jangkhomang Guite and Thongkholal Haokip. The FIR was charged with inciting “war against the Government of India” and promoting “enmity between different groups”.
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