Model of the sword in front of the statue of Paona Brajabasi at Kheba Ching. Telegraph picture

Imphal, June 4: Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh has chosen a giant sword as the symbol of peace.

The 110foot blade will be part of a memorial design — a sword without the handle and fists jutting out of earth — to be built atop a hillock, Kheba Ching, to remember the supreme sacrifice by 400 soldiers of King Kullachandra against the British on April 23, 1891, before the princely state was conquered.

Every year, Manipur observes the day with a state function at Khongjom War Memorial complex in Thoubal district. The war memorial, 44km from here, stands where the sword-wielding soldiers were vanquished by the powerful British canons.

Then President V.V. Giri had laid the foundation stone of the war memorial complex in 1972 when Manipur was granted statehood. From that day, governors, chief ministers, ministers, officials and people have paid floral tribute at a memorial stone atop the Kheba Ching, but it will be replaced by the sword very soon.

The Ibobi Singh government has decided that this piece of history deserves a place in the state’s tourist brochures and the place should be a symbol of peace.

“We will replace the stone with the 110foot sword before next year’s Khongjom Day. The design is ready and work will start very soon,” Moirangthem Hemanta Singh, Congress MLA and a permanent president of the Khongjom War Memorial Trust, said.

Hemanta Singh said the Ibobi Singh government had decided to develop the Khongjom War Complex to a world-class tourist destination and entrusted the task to the trust.

“The sword does not mean battle or violence. It will mean peace as the sword design does not have any handle. With this design we want to send the message that there is more than enough violence and let us now shun the handle of the sword and spread the message of peace. This is the idea about the new design,” Hemanta Singh said. “The fists symbolise the struggle for excellence,” he added.

Next to Kangla Fort situated in the heart of Imphal city, Khingjom is the second most important historical place in Manipur.

While Kangla was the seat of power, Khongjom is another symbol of Manipuri freedom before the British conquered Manipur.

A model of the sword is now placed in front of the statue of Paona Brajabasi, then commander of the Manipuri soldiers that fought the mighty British. The statue is in the foothills of Kheba Ching.

The sword will be installed after removing the existing pillar.

“The installation of the sword will mark the beginning of an effort to develop Khongjom as a tourist spot,” Hemanta Singh said.

Construction of a 70foot gate of the war memorial complex is under way.

Hemanta Singh said an expert team of the government was working on the design of the complex that would be developed with funds from the Centre under the Special Plan Assistance.

Landscaping was also a part of the project, he said.