U Tirot Sing’s bust unveiled in Dhaka

Shillong: Paying homage to the sacrifice of Khasi freedom fighter U Tirot Sing Syiem, the Meghalaya government unveiled his life-size bust at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Friday.
Meghalaya deputy CM Sniawbhalang Dhar, who led a delegation comprising state tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh and government officials, unveiled the bust of the legendary freedom fighter.
“In a historic development for our state, the people and the country, a life-size statue of U Tirot Sing is being unveiled today in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This is a proud moment for each and every citizen of Meghalaya,” governor Phagu Chauhan said in the course of his address on the first day of the state’s budget session.
In a special statement made in the assembly, CM Conrad K Sangma profusely thanked the governments and PMs of Bangladesh and India for facilitating the installation of the bust of U Tirot Sing in Dhaka, where the legendary freedom fighter had attained martyrdom.
“U Tirot Sing Syiem’s valour in protecting his people and his land will forever make him one of the fiercest freedom fighters of the region and the country. We bow to his courage, his sacrifice and his unyielding resolve,” the CM said.
The legendary patriot king raised the battle cry against the alien rulers on April 4, 1829 by spearheading an attack on the British Garrison at Nongkhlaw and inflicting major casualties. This marked the beginning of a bitter four-year-long conflict between the uncompromising Khasi soldiers under the leadership of U Tirot Sing Syiem and the British culminating in his martyrdom in Dhaka.