Rich tributes pour in for freedom fighter U Kiang Nangbah on 163rd death anniv
Our Bureau
SHILLONG/JOWAI, Dec 30: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has come down heavily on the state’s political leadership, accusing lawmakers of prioritising electoral wins over the long-term welfare of the Hynniewtrep people.
Speaking at the observance of the 163rd death anniversary of freedom fighter U Kiang Nangbah here, KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngar said it was time for society to reflect on the quality of leaders it has chosen.
“People elected legislators to frame laws in the Secretariat, not to perform drama. We need clear policies, but today’s leaders think only in terms of five-year terms, forgetting the future of the entire community,” Marngar said.
On the demand for the Inner Line Permit (ILP), Marngar noted that despite a unanimous resolution passed by the State Assembly in December 2019, the Centre has failed to act. He contrasted the delay in granting ILP with the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which he claimed opens doors to foreigners and poses a serious threat to the Northeast.
Marngar also referred to reported violence against minority communities on December 25, alleging that it reflected an intent to marginalise groups protected under the Constitution. If such policies continue, he warned, it raises questions about whether indigenous people are truly regarded as full citizens of India.
Drawing parallels with history, the KSU president said U Kiang Nangbah’s resistance remains a source of inspiration.
“The British imprisoned U Tirot Sing Syiem and hanged U Kiang Nangbah. Today, the threat comes from traitors who seek to destroy the community as a whole,” he stated.
North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) chairman Samuel Jyrwa also addressed the gathering, stating that the anniversary highlights unresolved issues the government frequently speaks of but fails to deliver, including ILP and the inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule.
Jyrwa pointed to the discrimination faced by people from the Northeast across the country, citing the recent death of a student in Tripura linked to alleged racial profiling. He said that despite posing no threat to trade or governance, Northeasterners continue to face prejudice based on physical appearance.
The NESO chairman asserted that indigenous people must rely on their own unity and strength to safeguard their identity rather than expecting assistance from the mainland. Earlier, KSU members and representatives of other pressure groups paid floral tributes at the statue of U Kiang Nangbah near Civil Hospital.
Various organisations pay homage
Various organisations on Tuesday paid homage to freedom fighter U Kiang Nangbah on his 163rd death anniversary, recalling his sacrifice and its continued relevance to the indigenous Khasi–Jaintia community.
The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), led by president Roy Kupar Synrem, offered floral tributes at the statue of U Kiang Nangbah at the State Central Library premises. Members also observed a two-minute silence in honor of the Jaintia leader.
Addressing the gathering, Synrem said Nangbah’s courage remains an inspiration 163 years later, noting that he chose resistance over surrender to British rule. He added that the struggle has reignited the spirit of the Hynniewtrep people.
“Let this day be an occasion to recognise his spirit to continue the struggle and never bow down. If U Kiang Nangbah could stand up to the British, the present generation should also be ready to fight against all forms of oppression,” Synrem said.
He noted that Nangbah was neither a king nor a ruler, yet sacrificed his life for his people. Drawing a biblical parallel, Synrem said that just as David faced Goliath before becoming king, Nangbah was entrusted with protecting his people from British misrule despite having no crown.
Synrem urged the youth to remember this sacrifice as the community faces contemporary challenges such as unemployment, drug addiction, and attempts to silence dissent.
Later, the National People’s Party (NPP) also paid floral tributes at the statue, led by state working president Hamletson Dohling and general secretary Donkupar War.
Dohling said it was vital for the indigenous community to remember leaders like U Tirot Sing Syiem, Phan Nonglait, and U Kiang Nangbah. He stated that the tribute should be a reminder of Nangbah’s bravery in opposing British taxes and the suppression of indigenous people.
“Though he was not a Syiem, he was a commoner who had immense courage. As an ordinary man, U Kiang Nangbah dared to challenge the might of the British,” Dohling added.
‘Kiang Nangbah Square’ to come up in Jowai
Arts and Culture Minister Shanbor Shullai announced that the state government will construct a “Kiang Nangbah Square” featuring a statue of the martyr near Kiang Nangbah Government College, at a programme to observe U Kiang Nangbah’s death anniversary at Mynkoi Pyrdi Loompyrdi Iongpiah, Jowai.
The event was attended by Seiñraij Jowai president H Toi, Dolloi of Elaka Jowai Puramon Kynjing, and other prominent community leaders.
Speaking on Nangbah’s legacy, Puramon Kynjing described the martyr as a brave and intelligent youth from Tpep-Pale who excelled in traditional sports before leading the Jaintia resistance against British colonial rule. He recounted how Nangbah took up leadership as a Khlawait (warrior) following a symbolic call for unity at the Syntu Ksiar river. Despite his fierce resistance, Nangbah was eventually betrayed by his own people while ill, leading to his arrest and execution at Iawmusiang.
In his address, Shullai urged the public to preserve their cultural roots. He also highlighted the government’s recognition of the late Kamnel Shullai, a member of the Pnar community and inventor of the human-powered torch. The minister encouraged Seiñraij Jowai and other local organizations to submit written suggestions to his department for further cultural initiatives.
The commemoration included honors for ritual functionaries with over 25 years of service. Prizes were also distributed to winners of traditional indigenous games, including stone-point throwing, rah mookhrah, tug-of-war, and archery.
JNC offers rich tributes
Meanwhile in Khliehriat, members from all Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) zones, units and circles gathered to offer floral tributes and recall Kiang Nangbah’s role in defending indigenous institutions and community rights.
Addressing the gathering, JNC president Sambormi Lyngdoh reflected on how colonial authorities, during Nangbah’s time, had misled village elders and Dollois, weakening traditional systems and eroding sacred customs. He said the historic mobilisation led by the Doloi of Nartiang Elaka marked a defining moment of resistance, from which Kiang Nangbah emerged as a unifying force.
Lyngdoh referred to the symbolic act of Nangbah retrieving a sacred leaf from the Myntdu River, explaining that its three-fold bond represented unity in vision, strength and principles, and served as a reminder of the need for collective responsibility.
Drawing parallels with present-day developments, he cautioned that similar patterns of influence and persuasion were re-emerging, alleging that governments and outside interests were seeking to access ancestral land for cement, mining and industrial projects. He cited developments involving Shree Cement at Daistong, labour-related concerns linked to Amrit, and alleged border encroachments from Assam as issues requiring vigilance.
He further stated that internal betrayal had played a role in Kiang Nangbah’s execution and said the JNC would not tolerate such conduct, stressing that unity and caution were essential to safeguard Jaiñtia interests.
U Kiang Nangbah led an uprising against colonial authority after the British annexed the Jaintia kingdom in 1835. Using hit-and-run tactics from jungle hideouts, he led the resistance through 1862-63. He was eventually captured while ill on December 27, 1862, and publicly hanged at Iawmusiang in Jowai three days later.
From the gallows, Nangbah famously told his countrymen: “If my face turns eastwards when I die on the rope, we shall be free within 100 years. If it turns westwards, we shall be enslaved forever.”
History records that his face turned eastward, and India attained independence within a century, cementing U Kiang Nangbah’s legacy as a patriot and martyr.
