Mairembam Koireng Singh
| Mairembam Koireng Singh | |
|---|---|
| 1st, 2nd and 4th Chief Minister of Manipur | |
|
In office 11 January 1967 – 9 January 1979 |
|
| Preceded by | Position Created |
| Succeeded by | Mairembam Koireng Singh |
|
In office 20 March 1967 – 4 October 1967 |
|
| Preceded by | Mairembam Koireng Singh |
| Succeeded by | Longjam Thambou Singh |
|
In office 16 February 1968 – 16 October 1969 |
|
| Preceded by | Longjam Thambou Singh |
| Succeeded by | Mohammed Alimuddin |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mairembam Koireng Singh 19 December 1915 Moirang, Manipur, India |
| Died | 27 December 1994 |
| Spouse(s) | (L) Kiyam Ningol Mairembam Ongbi Ibemhal Devi |
Mairembam Koireng Singh or Moirang Koireng was the first elected Chief Minister of Manipur, India, and a freedom fighter during the Second World War.
Koireng was the youngest son of Mairembam Chaoyaima Singh and Leishangbam Ningol Mairembam Ongbi Tombichao Devi. 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.
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.
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 became the headquarters of the Azad Hind Fauz.
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