The Anglo-Kuki Centenary War Gate, situated on the National Highway No 2 at Leisang village of Manipur’s Churachandpur district, is in focus after Republican Party of India-Athawale General Secretary Maheshwar Thounaojam demanded its removal terming it an “illegal construction”.
Maheshwar asserted the Kuki communities, allegedly bolstered by the backing of illegal infiltrators and militant groups, are distorting Manipur’s history since there is no factual evidence available regarding the occurrences of the Anglo-Kuki War.
Additionally, he accused them of trying to manipulate syllabus of Delhi University and proliferating fake information. Among such false claims is about the Meitei community trying to demolish it.
The information about the controversial gate surfaced in an RTI respond, dated January 30, after Maheshwar filed for it seeking details about it from the Public Works Department or PWD.
The RTI reply mentioned “no permission or order was granted” for Anglo-Kuki Centenary Gate’s construction. Additionally, the RTI applicant urged the Churachandpur Deputy Commissioner to remove advertisement hoardings, signboards, banners, statues along the National Highways.
Reportedly, the Union Home Ministry in response to a RTI question last year had stated there is no record or details available about the Anglo-Kuki War in Manipur.
The Kuki communities claimed the gate had been built to venerate the Anglo-Kuki war, which occurred between 1917and 1919.
