Haipou Jadonang (1905-1931)
Haipou Jadonang (1905-1931)


::::: Haipou Jadonang Malangmei was born in 1905 to Thiudai Malangmei (father) and Tabonliu (mother) at Kambiron (Puilon) village in Tamenglong district of Manipur. He was the youngest of the three sons. Jadonang was one of the first Naga person who claimed himself to be a 'Messiah King' of the Nagas to liberate his people from the clutches of British. And as such, like a God-affected man, he carried out some activities successfully against the British. He also became very popular for his prophecies, healing power, religious and social activities amongst the masses. Visualising the future of Naga Raj, Jadonang started organizing the Naga people in Zeliangrong areas now falling into Manipur Nagaland and Assam to put up opposition against the British. He organized the Heraka army - separate women battalion and challenged mighty British empire. He taught his people to be on constant vigil against the traps of British Government and its secret wings. And warned his people to be on alert against missionary menace of Church.
Hapou Jadonang was a highly spiritual person and a great visionary by birth. He was a spiritual healer. People came from far off village to him for treatment and they returned after being healed. He used to go into trance for days together. Once he was in trance for ten days. His parents were worried. When he awoke from the trance he told his mother that he was in company with God. God told him to advance his work and preach God’s religion and His message. God advised him to enlighten his people to keep away from the invaders’ region which was foreign in theme and taste. During this period Indian freedom struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi was in peak. When he visited Silchar, Haipou Jadonang went to meet Gandhiji. On return, he intensified his movement. . This offended British Govt. more. On fake charge of murder, Britishers spread the false news that l-our Manipuri betel businessmen were killed by Jadonang and his follower which was a concocted story with a view to implicate him on murder charge. Confronted by the outburst of violence and murder, the Political Agent of Manipur State, J.C.Higgins finally succeeded in arresting Jadonang on 19th February 1931 at Cachar. On 29th March 1931 Jadonang was brought to Imphal and confined him in the worst room of Imphal Jail, while prosecution against him and some of his followers was going on at the court of the Manipur Political Agent.
At last, on Saturday, 29th August, 1931 in the agony of sorrow and bravery, Jadonang was hanged till death by the order of the British Government on the banks of Nambul River behind the Imphal Jail leaving behind a legacy of struggle. Thus the pioneer and champion of anti-colonial movement in the Northeast ended his life as a martyr. Thus ended the journey of this messiah who dedicated his life for the progress and upliftment of his people, though his dream of uniting his people is yet to see the light of day but it would be decades when another such being comes into our midst.

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