SHILLONG, Dec 30: To commemorate the 160th death anniversary of freedom fighter from Jaintia Hills U Kiang Nangbah, Sein Raij Niamtre Shillong on Friday unveiled the ossuary (Moo Booh Chyien) on the Kambel Shullai Eco-friendly crematorium premises, Lum Jingthang Briew, Jaiaw.
North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum unveiled the ossuary which was constructed at cost of Rs 9.5 lakh for interring the bones of those who were cremated.
Speaking on the occasion, Nongrum said that the late freedom fighter fought to liberate his countrymen despite being only a common man.
“We need to follow his footsteps to protect the indigenous tribal community since paying floral tribute is not enough,” he stated.
While lauding the efforts of the Sein Raij to keep the tradition alive, he also called upon the unity of the members of the “Bri U Hynniewtrep” (Khasi, Pnar, Bhoi and War).
Meanwhile, the North Shillong MLA said that the so-called political leaders have lied and deceived the people through self-indulgence without caring about passing laws that are imperative for the common good.
Nongrum said that while the elected claim to be law maker, they are instead specialising in the art of creating wealth for themselves and their families.
Further, Nongrum claimed that he was offered Rs 6 crore to end his hunger strike to protest the delay of the government in passing the KHADC (Village Administration Bill) 2014 in 2015.
“I had refused this offer since the protection of our culture and tradition is more important for me,” he said.
Editor, The Shillong Times, Patricia Mukhim who was one of the speakers said that while Kiang Nangbah fought the British with valour armed only with indigenous weapons and gave his life for the fight, today despite India being an independent country and Meghalaya a state that is 50 years old, a large chunk of population are enslaved by rising poverty, illiteracy and landlessness which are impediments to human progress. These are the fight of the present generation.
“While it is good to honour our freedom fighters and delve on the past, it is imperative that we think of the future and fight corruption, nepotism and poor governance,” Mukhim pointed out.
She also urged all to read the recently released book on U Kiang Nangbah authored by HH Mohrmen.
Earlier Dr Omarlin Kyndiah, the general secretary of Sein Raij and a scholar of History, presented a brief history of Kiang Nangbah and all that he surmounted to fight the colonial powers. Kyndiah urged the youth of the state to follow in the footsteps of U Kiang Nangbah who was but a common man but took up the leadership role to fight a cause he believed in.
The programme was presided over by Sein Raij president Joining Pde.
After the ossuary was unveiled there was a brief ritual performed by a priest of the Sein Raj at the venue.
Meanwhile, floral tributes were paid to freedom fighter U Kiang Nangbah across the state on his 160th death anniversary. In Shillong the KSU laid wreaths and remembered his legacy and the strong opposition put up by him against the Britishers.
UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh stressed on how the fight for rights fought through sword and shield has been replaced by the pen.
KSU president Lambokstar Marngar encouraged the youth to fight to safeguard the people and their rights.
The great grandnephew of U Kiang Nangbah, Barnabas Nangbah also remembered the great freedom fighter and recalled his selfless sacrifice for the motherland.
Recalling that Kiang Nangbah was offered amnesty, wealth and fame but he chose to stand by his principle – even if it meant death – Barnabas said that the Britishers had hanged him but once.
“Yet, we continue to hang him every time; when in the name of the motherland we loot the resources of the land and amass personal wealth through corrupt means. We continue to hang him when we raise slogans about our love for the motherland, but act to the contrary,” he said.
Barnabas said that Kiang Nangbah fought not only for political freedom but for freedom from injustice and poverty and stood up for the poor and the oppressed.
“Let this anniversary be an inspiration for every ordinary citizen. We should imbibe his spirit and consider it our bounded duty to fight against injustice, inequality, corruption, nepotism, etc. at all costs. We need to oust the evils of our times ‘the Britishers of the day’,” he said.
