WW II commemorative program from March
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 04 2014:
A commemorative function on the 70th anniversary of World War II would be held at 15 different places of Manipur under the joint aegis of Manipur Tourism Forum and the Second World War Imphal Campaign Foundation starting from March till June this year.
Notably, Chief Minister O Ibobi is the chief patron of the commemorative event.
Speaking to media persons at Hotel Imphal today, officials/representatives of the Manipur Tourism Forum president Dr Dhaballi said that the function is being organised in memory of the people killed and injured during the Battle of Imphal which was fought 70 years ago in 1944 .
Incidentally, the battles of Imphal and Kohima have been voted the fiercest battles fought in the history of British Army during a survey conducted by the United Kingdom National Army Museum.
More than two lakh soldiers of the allied force and Japanese army including including INA soldiers fought to annihilate each other from March to July 1944, said Yumnam Rajeshwar of the Second World War Imphal Campaign Foundation.
The degree of casualty on the side of the British army during Imphal/Kohima campaign was 28,000 while the corresponding figure on the Japanese side was 58,000 .
It was in the course of the Japanese onslaught that the India's tricolour was first hoisted on April 14, 1944 at Moirang.
Arambam Angamba of the Second World War Imphal Campaign Foundation said that commemorative function would be kicked off at Slim Cottage inside Kangla on March 23 .
The function would then spread to Shangshak, Gopibung, Kameng, Kanglatongbi, Nungshigum, Moirang, Tengnoupal, Torbung, Maibam Lokpaching, Motbung, Milestone 109 and Silchar Track.
War veterans and their families have been already invited for the commemorative event.
Trekking and special expditions would be organised in the course of the event, they said.