WW II local veterans now want pension scheme
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Chandel, December 12 2015 : Second World War (WW-II) war veterans and widows of the veterans who worked as volunteers of the British Indian Forces in defending the county against the invading Japanese Army have expressed dismay with the way that have been treated now and sought the authorities to provide them with suitable pension schemes.

A 105-year old Khatlim Baite of Khongnangpheisabi village in Chandel District who served as a Volunteer Force (V-Force) during WW-II informed that he joined the V-Force in spite of the fact that some of my friends chose to join the Indian National Army (INA) .

"The British forces gave us training on how to use fire arms at their Mombi Camp.

Since then, we worked for the British Indian Forces and engaged in patrolling the deep jungles, gathering and providing information about the movement of the Japanese Army," he recalled.

However, even after making immense contributions for the the cause of the government, the veteran were provided with no welfare schemes till date, he lamented.

Bd Khitung Anal, a widow whose husband Ngamhring Anal worked as a Volunteer Force personnel also expressed dissatisfaction over the neglect shown to the local war veterans and appealed the government to take measures on providing pension scheme in recognition of their services during WW-II .

Another V-Force Veteran Holhem Lhungdim presently residing at Dongjang village claimed that he joined the force under Group Leader Maniram Singh.

"And we worked for the British troops stationed at Sita camp in Ayapurel Area of Chandel District," he added.

Lhungdim further maintained that when the war came to an end, the British troops withdrew from the area and that they were just left behind.

"The Indian government did not recognise the sacrifices we made in defending the country from foreign invasion and in denying pension schemes.

On the contrary, our colleagues who joined INA and fought the British Indian Forces along with invading Japanese Army were given pensions," he said.

While appealing for providing pensions, Lhungdim asked if pensions could be provided to those who joined INA who fought alongside the invading Japanese Army, why is the government denying the to those who defended the country.

Th Houkhothang Baite, President of 2nd World War V-Force Vetaran Ex-Servocemen Non Pensioners' Association, Chandel District informed that there are about 400 war veterans who joined the Volunteer Force in Chandel District alone and most of them lived a miserable life as no assistance were provided to them by the government.

Despite the State Assembly approving the provision of Pension Scheme in 2000, no assistance including pensions were provided to the WW-II Volunteer Force Veterans and widows of the veterans till date, he added.

Baite further maintained that a memorandum was also submitted to the Chief Minister of State over the same issue last February.

"But no evident action has been taken up till date by the government to address the grievances of the war veterans and their families" .

"If the government is reluctant to recognize the services rendered by the Volunteer Force in defending the County against foreign invasion, the younger generations will refuse to sacrifice for the nation in times of emergency", pointed out Baite.

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