The 157th death anniversary of U Kiang Nangbah was commemorated in Meghalaya on Monday.
On this day, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) unveiled a newly-built statue of U Kiang Nangbah at Shillong Civil Hospital junction.
Artistes from Ri-Bhoi performed the traditional dance known as Shad Shutwait to mark the opening of the memorial statue of U Kiang Nangbah.
Tributes were paid to U Kiang Nangbah and wreaths were also laid at his memorial statue.
Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma also paid tribute to freedom fighter U Kiang Nangbah.
Today we pay tribute to the martyrdom of U Kiang Nangbah, the freedom fighter of #Meghalaya who led a rebellion against the British army. The story of his bravery will always be etched in our hearts. To commemorate him, the #GovernmentOfIndia issued a postage stamp in 2001. pic.twitter.com/kOZuvqAXdo
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) December 30, 2019
“Today we pay tribute to the martyrdom of U Kiang Nangbah, the freedom fighter of #Meghalaya who led a rebellion against the British army,” Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma tweeted.
“The story of his bravery will always be etched in our hearts. To commemorate him, the #GovernmentOfIndia issued a postage stamp in 2001,” he added.
The day was also commemorated in Jaiñtia Hills including Madiah Kmai Blai on the bank of the river Syntu Ksiar where the memorial statue of U Kiang Nangbah was built.
U Kiang Nangbah had revolted against the British when Khasi Jaiñtia was not part of India.
He was hanged publicly at ïawmusiang in Jowai town in West Jaiñtia Hills district on 30 December 1862.
As he was being taken to the gallows on the evening of December 30, 1862, U Kiang said something prophetic, “Brothers and sisters, please look carefully on my face when I die on the gallows. If my face turns towards the east, my country (Khasi Jaiñtia) will be freed from foreign yoke in the next 100 years and if it turns west, it will remain in bondage for good.”
KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngar, North East Students Organisation (NESO) chairman Samuel B Jyrwa, Seiñ Jaiñtia Women’s Wing president Biliancy Thabah, and others spoke on the occasion and paid tributes to U Kiang Nangbah.