Imphal, March 18: Volunteers taking part in the ongoing peace and fraternity march under the banner of Young Horizon are on their last leg of journey having left Jiribam sub-division yesterday.

Under the objective of restoration of brotherly ties among the manipuris settled in different parts of the North Eastern region particularly, about 500 volunteers began the march from January 30 at Kangla and has so far covered over 1400 kilometres in Nagaland and Assam.

"To rediscover the Mongoloid people's oneness, rejuvenate their historic energy, forge stronger unity for peace and harmony, and to embrace new opportunities opening up before them are the primary objectives of the march," said Young Horizon leaders during a brief halt at Lakhipur of Assam yesterday.

Commenting of the journey, one of the marchers, Moirangthem Angamba (28) expressed with confidence that the ongoing march would promote peace, unity and love amongst ethnic communities of the region.

Meiteis and Meitei Pangals (Muslim) are scattered in various location of the region, especially in pockets of Assam in the aftermath of invasion by the Burmese soldiers that had led to the infamous Chahi Taret Khuntakpa (Seven years Devastation) from 1819. The marchers were warmly sent off by functionaries of Assam Meitei Apunba Lup and Barak Valley Meitei Convention at Jiribam Bridge.

Among other places, the marching group that also include 157 girls marched through historic sites at Khoiren Khul and Lamargam at Barak Valley where the then king of Manipuri Gambhir Singh and his brother Nara Singh canvassed for formation of Manipuri warriors to drive out the Burmese invaders.

According to Young Horizon spokesperson Longjam Ratan the marchers were made to feel at home by the Dimasa people and Karbi apart from Manipuris scattered in Assam.

Among two top functionaries of Dimasa Students' Union - Pritam and John Nunisa who joined the march from Gunjung on March 4, the latter stressed that such a march is essential in the trouble torn region and added with pride that he and his friend (Pritam) are committed to join the march upto Imphal.