WW-II bombed Haijang celebrates bi-centennial
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, March 30 2023: Two hundred years old Haijang village in Kangpokpi district, one of the oldest vil -lages in the state, celebrated its bicentennial anniversary on Thursday.

Commerce and industries minister Nemcha Kipgen attended the bicentennial anniversary of the village as chief guest and unveiled the monolith of the village erected by the present village chief Thangkhopao Chongloi.

The monolith erected in honour of the village founder and successive chiefs was blessed by Restoration Theological College, Imphal principal Dr Satkhokai Chongloi.

Haijang village was established by Helkhotong Chongloi in 1823 .

During the time of late Jamkhohel Chongloi as chief of the Village, World War II was in its highest peak.

The inroad to the destination of the Japanese army passes through Haijang village.

The Japanese army on their tactical road march usually took a breather in the village.

On the other hand, the British soldiers were guided by misleading information that the village was a permanent tactical headquarters of the advancing Japanese army and conducted airstrike on the village with two warplanes dropping two bombs.

The airstrike killed seven people and critically injured three others.

The British government later learnt that the bombing caused civilian casualties rather than killing Japanese army.

The then British political agent Sir Gimson wrote an official letter for war relief and handed it over to the then village chief Jamkhohel Chongloi.

However, due to tension owing to the war, there was no way to run after the letter.

As such, the letter remained as a 'Dead Letter' and is merely preserved as a 'documentary letter' till today.

Despite the fact that Haijang village was terribly devastated during World War II, no assistance, both in kind and cash, was availed to the village.

As consequence of the bombing, a deadly disease struck the village and majority of the residents abandoned the village and scattered to nearby villages.

However, Haijang village survived and celebrated its 200th anniversary and remains as one of the old est villages in the state of Manipur.

During her speech, Nemcha Kipgen appreciated chief of Haijang village and the villagers for not indulging in poppy cultivation but rather standing firm with the government's War on Drugs' mission.

Comment