By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The 178th death anniversary of the legendary Khasi freedom fighter U Tirot Singh was observed in Shillong city on Wednesday as people from all walks of life paid their tribute to the freedom fighter.
Observing his 178th death anniversary, Co-Chairman of Meghalaya State Planning Board, John F Kharshiing laid a wreath at the memorial monument of U Tirot Singh at Mairang in West Khasi Hills District.
The influential Khasi Students’ Union, the Hynniewtrep National YouthFront and other NGOs paid floral tributes to the Khasi freedom fighter, who fought against the British empire.
U Tirot Singh Syiem, the tribal Khasi chief of Nongkhlaw Kingdom, was the first tribal Khasi ruler to rebel against the British empire in 1829.
U Tirot Singh Syiem’s name is etched in history as the last man who ended up in the British dungeons in Dhaka, Bangladesh for trying to free his people from foreign yoke.
His brave action during the Anglo-Khasi war till the day he was arrested has always been a focal talking point of the government, the political parties and NGOs in their bid to revive the patriotic fervour in Meghalaya. On January 13, 1833, the British forces treacherously captured him and kept him in a Dhaka jail, where he died on July 17, 1835.
Speaking at a programme on Wednesday at Indoor stadium, KSU president Daniel Khyriem urged people to be united while dealing with various issues that confronted the State.
Meanwhile, the State BJP paid tribute to U Tirot Singh Syiem, at the State Central Library on Wednesday morning.
The BJP State unit president Khlur Singh Lyngdoh, general secretary Dipayan Chakraborty besides other members paid floral tributes to the freedom fighter.
