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Pan
Manipuri Youth League
Pan
Manipuri Youth League (PANMYL) was a social and
political organisation founded in 1968 with a
revolutionary commitment to awakening the Manipuris from
the slumber of colonial rule. It revived, restored and
in fact, rewrote the glorious history of Manipur which
was made forgotten, distorted and relegated to
insignificance by the colonial masters beginning with
the British. Pan Manipuri Youth League
successfully rehoused a pride in everybody born as a
Manipuri in this hilly state.
Manipur's War of Independence against
the British in 1891 was not given its due historical
significance and it was distorted as a part of India's
freedom movement by the colonial educationists. PANMYL
reversed it and brought it into prominence. It initiated
celebrating the 13th August as Patriot's Day for it was
on this day the Britishers hanged to death many heroes
of Manipur. The day is still celebrated by the state and
every Manipuri. Another memorable day is the 23rd April.
PANMYL took it up for its historical importance because
it was on this day the heroes of Manipur fought a
decisive battle against the British at Khongjom in 1891.
The 13th August and the 23rd April are declared state
holidays and statewide functions are observed every
year.
PANMYL's mouthpiece Lamyanba
(Pioneer), a monthly published in local vernacular and
the Resistance, a weekly published in English, which are
now defunct, came heavily against the state and its
misrule. It took corruption as a vice born and bred by
the colonial system. Both the journals were engaged in a
strong anti corruption drive exposing ministers, offices
and politicians through their far reading
investigations. Agonies suffered by the people in the
hills specially at the hands of the Indian army were
brought into public. Rape cases and excesses perpetrated
by the Indian army in the interior hill areas were
investigated and brought into public for justice.
Dr. L. Chandramani, author of this
booklet was the first president of the Pan Manipuri
Youth League.
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