Signpost 'Milestone 109' of WW-II found at KMC, AR pays tribute to war heroes of Battle of Imphal
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, March 26 2019: In the recent past, members of Keithelmanbi Youth Association and personnel of 38 Assam Rifles found a signpost inside a paddy field just few yards from the NH-2 believed to be the marker of 'Milestone 109' and marked it '109' in black colour with an aim to preserve the historic signpost.

Subsequently, the 38 Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ 10 Sector Assam Rifles, IGAR(S) organized tribute to the war heroes of battle of Imphal (World War-II) at Milestone 109 (Keithelmanbi Military Colony) in Kangpokpi District as part of commemorating the 75th years of the greatest battle of WW II where families of the war heroes were honoured with due respect while paying tribute to the war heroes.

Lalithambigai K, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Kangpokpi; Hemant Pandey, IPS, SP Kangpokpi; 2IC Haridas Dogra; Second-in-Command, Maj Mrunal Dongare, 38 Assam Rifles; Maj Subrata Debbarma, Org Unit, 38 Assam Rifles attended the occasion apart from the families of the war heroes and many other ex-servicemen including civil society organization.

The dignitaries paid tributes to the war heroes by laying wreath at the memorial stone erected by Manipur Tourism Forum, II WW Imphal Campaign Foundation and Keithelmanbi Military Colony Village Authority under the aegis of Government of Manipur to remember and honour those who fought and died opening Imphal - Dimapur road in 1944.The war veterans (World War-II), even none of them are no more, were also felicitated by the Assam Rifles which was received by their respective family members, children and grandchildren as mark of honour and respect for their immense contribution and sacrifice.

A rally was held from the Keithelmanbi Community Hall till the historic 'Milestone 109' by the dignitaries and participants of the event including the ex-servicemen, children and grandchildren of the war veterans.

Meanwhile, Keithelmanbi Village Authority and Keithelmanbi Youth Association drew the attention of the concerned authority and the State Government to convert the 'Milestone 109' into a tourism spot stating that many war veterans family, children, etc, from the Japanese and the British come to the place usually to visit the historic place with their war veterans' photos taken in the old Milestone 109 during 1944.It also urged the concerned authority to preserve and protect the recently found signpost of the 'Milestone 109' as mark of honour and respect to the war heroes.

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