Battle of Imphal anniversary ends
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 28 2014 : The three months long 70th anniversary of the Battle of Imphal concluded today at the MFDC auditorium.

The closing function was also attended by many foreign dignitaries and diplomats including Australian High Commission in India, First Secretary (Defence) Jane Spicer, Consul General of the United States Helen G LaFave, British Deputy High Commissioner Scott Furssedonn Wood and Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan Charge d'affairs Y Kawamura.

Governor VK Duggal and Chief Minister O Ibobi attended the function as chief guest and president respectively which was jointly organised by Manipur Tourism Forum and the Second World War Imphal Campaign Foundation.

Speaking at the occasion, VK Duggal stated that the battle fought at Imphal was the fiercest battle fought on plain areas.

Some of the prominent battles fought in Manipur were the battles of Sangshak, Kamong, Kanglatongbi and Ningshingum.

Battle of Imphal anniversary ends

On account of the historic event, many people from across the world are gathered here today, the Governor remarked.

He also sought attention of the Chief Minister in order to plan in advance and observe the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Imphal in much grander scale so that attention of the whole world is focused on the event.

He also conveyed gratitude to Japanese actor/director/producer Junichi Kajioka for producing a short film 'Imphal 1944' in memory of the Battle of Imphal.

Paying homage to all the soldiers coming from different of the planet who were killed at the Battle of Imphal, Chief Minister O Ibobi stated that peace reigned in Manipur since early ages.

The Seven Years Devastation of 1819 was the most terrible event in the history of Manipur.

The next most terrible event was the Battle of Imphal fought during World War II.

Now time has brought a great change, offsprings of the soldiers who fought against each other during the great war are now shaking hands and sitting together in Manipur, Ibobi remarked.

University of Oxford, Senior Research Fellow Dr Hugo Slim too remarked that people of the then warring countries are assembled together at a common platform provided by Manipur.

This is a rare opportunity provided by Manipur to the whole world.

He also recalled how the Manipuris served and nursed all the wounded soldiers during the Battle of Imphal without any sense of discrimination.

Dr Hugo Slim also hailed the organisers for organising such a historic event.

The function culminated with the screening of Junichi Kajioka's short film 'Imphal 1944' which is based on Japanese war veteran Masao Hirakubo Obe's personnel experience of the war.