Battle of Torbung commemorated
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 19 2014 :
The 'Battle of Torbung', a fierce battle fought during the World War-II was commemorated today at Tollen Village, Torbung, Churachandpur district with two surviving WW-II veterans, Khakhai Kuki (92) of 1st Assam Regiment and Kaijakap Kuki (91) of 2nd Assam Regiment attending the commemorative function as the special guests.
The function was organised as a part of the three-month long observance of the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Imphal WW-II by the Manipur Tourism Forum and World War-II Imphal Campaign Foundation.
In the commemoration function today, Lienlal Khongsai, Tollen Village Chief and Arambam Angamba, co-convenor, organising committee attended as chief guest and president respectively.
Speakers at the function stressed the significance of organising the function.
During the retreat of the 17th Division towards the plains of Imphal along the Tiddim road, the Japanese had managed to stage roadblocks at certain locations.
MS 34 at Torbung was one of them where fierce battle was fought to dominate the route.
48th Allied Infantry brigade was called in from the Sugunu area to counter the roadblock at this MS 34.Ultimately, the Allied Force succeeded in destroying the roadblock and proceeded towards Imphal plains.
The two surviving war veterans also narrated about their personal accounts of the battles they took part in various places of Burma (Myanmar) .
Khakhai mentioned that he was trained in Calcutta (Kolkata).
And from Madras (Chennai) he was transported to Burma as the retreating Japanese were fighting with the Allied forces.
Rajeshwor Yumnam, Secretary of the Organising Committee informed that the Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of Battle of Imphal was inaugurated on March 23 and would wind up on June 28.The programmes to be organised before the concluding functions are Observation at Red Hill (Maibam Lokpa Ching) on May 29, Battle of Motbung on June 7, Lift of Imphal Siege/Milestone 109 on June 22, Battle of Bishnupur on June 12 and Silchar Track on June 25, according to the organisers.