My name is Manipur

Hijam Monarsingh Dallo Rihmo

First they came for my neighbours
Roasted, burnt, bleeding
Now they tell the story
And it birthed tigers and lions

Then they came for me
Maimed, gagged, forced me naked
Made me change habits and tongue
Took my children to fight their war
Took my brightest stars to crown their glory

They wanted more and came for more
Gave away my own like it’s theirs
Stranger who come to rule
Tell me reader, is it different from the seven years
Is it different because it’s no more swords and spears
Now they want the food from my plate

And the riches from my land
They want rivers of blood to scare
They want my daughters for pleasure
They lie that we are the same
When I look in the mirror

I see we are a race apart
My name is Manipur
It is no more the seven years
My name is Manipur
It is but seven decades now