Mairembam Koireng Singh

Mairembam Koireng Singh (1915–1994) also known as Moirang Koireng was the first Chief Minister of Manipur, India. Coming from the Indian National Congress, Mairembam Koireng Singh achieved the honor of becoming the first Chief Minister of Manipur and he governed the state for 5 years and 266 days in three terms between 1963 and 1969.

Born on 19 December 1915 in Moirang, Manipur, he vehemently opposed the social gap that the King of Manipur lauded by taxing the underprivileged for donning the “Chandan Tilak” on their foreheads when he was a youngster.

He was effective in leading the Satyagraha campaign about the Lord Thangjing Temple problem and turned over control of the god’s activities to the populace (1952). He was instrumental in the construction of several academic systems. He launched his political career in 1938 as the Nikhil Manipuri Mahasabha’s originator, answering Gandhi’s Revolution.

In 1944, in response to Netaji’s appeal, he accepted the Indo-Japanese Progress Group and promised his full participation in the entire war. He went into hiding and disappeared with his comrades to Burma in July 1944 when the British government listed him as an “enemy” and issued a “shoot at sight” warrant on him.

In September 1944, he encountered Netaji and later, in September 1945, the British detained him and imprisoned him for 8 months. He was taken to Calcutta in April 1946 after his release from confinement under a royal pardon, and he soon landed in Manipur.

Biography:

Personal life-

Koireng was born on 19 December 1915 as the youngest son of Mairembam Chaoyaima Singh and Leishangbam Ningol Mairembam Ongbi Tombichao Devi in Moirang. Chaoyaima was the Nongthomba in the Royal Court and was therefore popularly known as Nongthomba. Koireng had four brothers, Mairembam Meina Singh, Mairembam Angangyaima Singh, Mairembam Nilachandra Singh and Mairembam Tambullo Singh, and three sisters, Mairembam Ningol Konjengbam Ongbi Tampak Devi, Mairembam Ningol Kumam Ongbi Leihao Devi and Mairembam Ningol Phairembam Ongbi Ashangbi Devi.

Koireng was married to Kiyam Ibemhal Devi (daughter of Kiyam Gopal Singh) in 1938. He had five sons, (L) Mairembam Khelendro Singh, Dr. Mairembam Manihar Singh, Mairembam Joy Singh, (L) Mairembam Prafullo Singh and (L) Mairembam Herojit Singh, and three daughters Mairembam Ningol Sanjenbam Ongbi Prabhapati Devi, Mairembam Ningol Haobam Ongbi Biteshwori Devi and Mairembam Ningol Khoisnam Ongbi Premila Devi.

Early life-

Though born to a rich well-to-do family, Koireng had his share of hardship and suffering at a very tender age. Koireng's mother Tombichao Devi died nine days after Koireng's birth. Koireng was brought up by Chaoyaima's elder brother Mairembam Ningthou Singh and Ningthou's wife Chaobihal Devi.

Koireng was also good in Mukna (a form of traditional wrestling) and Kangjei.

Apart from being a pioneer in promoting drama in the region, he was also a good artist.

Life as a Freedom Fighter and Politics-

The year 1938 marked a great milestone in Koireng's life. First, he joined Nikhil Manipuri Maha Sabha at a young age of 23 to revolt against the suppressive rule of the Manipuri King. Second, he was married to Ibemhal Devi. And third, he did not matriculate for a career in politics.

During the Second World War (1939–1945), in the morning of 14 April 1944, under the leadership of Shri Koireng, Shri Leiphrakpam Sanaba, Shri Kumam Kanglen, Shri Meinam Mani and others he welcomed the Indo-Japanese Advanced Party at Tronglaobi (Moirang). After discussing the various conditions pertaining the independence of India prevailing at that time, INA Colonel Saukat Ali Malik hoisted the Tricolour flag for the first time. Shri Koireng Singh, Captain Ito of the 33rd Japanese Mountain Gun Regiment and several people of Moirang were also present during the flag hoisting ceremony. In this way, Moirang become the first independent kingdom in India. After this, from till 14 July 1944 Shri Hemam Neelmani's house become the Head Quarters of the Azad Hind Fauz.

Shri Koireng even arranged for food grains from his father's granary without his fathers's approval. Feeding thousands of the Azad Hind Fauz soldiers for 3 months was the contribution made by Koireng and his colleagues during the war for independence. The British Political Agent at Moirang during that time had announced Moirang as Enemy's Soil, branded Koireng, Kiyam Gopal Singh, Leiphrakpam Sanaba Singh and Hemam Neelmani Singh as traitors and ordered them shot on sight.

Revolt for Thangjing Temple-

After the Independence of India in 1947, the custody of Ibudhou Thangjing’s Temple which was long governed by the King of Moirang. The Merger Agreement of 1949 did not bring any changes to the temple. Instead Shri Bodhchandra Singh (the Meitei King) declaring the God as King’s God took away all the money offered to the temple. The people of Moirang under the leadership of Shri Koireng Singh revolted against the Meitei King in May 1950 and demanded that the "People’s God" should be handed over to the people and that the celebration of "Lai Haraoba" should be governed by the people. This was known as the "Thangjing Andolan". The Meitei King sent a Riflemen Contingent under SP L Gopal along with Sub-Inspector L Jadumani to look into the revolt. CRPC 144 was declared in and around the temple. Later under Chief Commissioner Shri Himat Singh, policemen dispersed the rebels by beating them violently. Many rounds were fired in the air to disperse the rebellion. Koireng and many others were severely injured. People then boycotted the office bearers appointed by the Meitei King to govern the temple. The governance of the temple by its people was fought for long with legal help through court. The MP (Member of Parliament) at that time Laishram Jugeshwar help in the legal proceedings. The Meitei King was now required to appeare before the court. The idea of the King appearing before the court caused much turbulence in the Meitei King’s Court. After much consideration it was then clear that temple should be governed by its people M K Priyobarta came to Ibudhou Thangjing’s temple to discuss on the issue. The meeting arrived at a consensus and "Thangjing Seva Mandal" was formed. Now Ibudhou Thangjing becomes people’s God. The people of Moirang still remember this as Koireng’s endeavor.

Political career-

He was elected as Chief Minister of Manipur thrice (1st, 2nd and 4th ) and he governed the state for 5 years and 266 days in three terms between 1963 and 1969.

The chronological order of the elections Koireng fought in his life may be summarised as follows: Award-

Tabra Patra, 1972 (awarded to the Freedom Fighters of Azad Hind Fauz).

Great Works-

1. Setting up of Loktak Multi Purpose Project, Loktak Moirang

2. Building Indian National Army (INA) Martyr’s Memorial Complex, Moirang.

3. Constructing Moirang Thanga Road and Imphal Tamenglong Road.

4. Setting up of All India Radio (AIR) in Manipur.

5. Setting up of Regional Medical College (RMC) now known as Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).

Death-

Mairembam Koireng Singh took his last breath on 27 December 1994 after prolonged illness.

References-

1. An article " The life and works of Shri Mairembam Koireng Singh" by Moirangthem Rajendra Singh in "Yenning" XV No. Exclusive Edition.

2. A Souvenir released on 80th birth anniversary of Shri Koireng Singh by "The M Koireng Memorial Trust".