Historic Nungshigum battlefield lies in perils
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 02 2013: Nungshigum, one of the landmark Second World War battlefields in the State where the British troops first used tanks against the Japanese force in hilly terrains, is now in a deplorable condition lacking kind attention of the Government despite its great historical significance.

Nungshigum Battlefield is located atop Keibi Yembung Hills in Imphal East district.

It was named after an area called Nungshigum located in the village of Keibi Awang Leikai.

The battle fought in this area between the two mighty forces of British and Japanese has been named as "Battle of Nunghigum" and it is well-known among historians of various countries.

The Imphal Campaign inspected the Nungshigum Battlefield yesterday to collect and study the remnants of WW-II battle.

Historic Nungshigum battlefield lies in perils

A volunteer of Imphal Campaign Yumnam Rajeshwar explained that Nungshigum was the Camp of 51 Infantry Regiment of the Japanese Force located just seven miles from Imphal.

It was the most strategic location for the Japanese troops.

They could clearly see the Koirengei Airfield and Kangla Sangomsang Airfield and they were also able to monitor movement of British troops in Imphal Valley.

It was most important on the part of the British Army to flush out the Japanese troops from Nungshigum as a part of its long-term strategic plan to continue its rule in India.

The British conducted an offensive operation against the Japanese troops using aeroplanes and tanks.

More than 277 Japanese soldiers were killed while British lost 9 tankers in the Battle of Nungshigum.

It was the first instance when the British troops used tanks in any hilly terrain.

A British soldier namely Abdul Hafis who died while fighting the battle was accorded with the highest British military award of that time known as "Victoria Cross" .

Nungshigum is one of the most important historical places in Manipur.

The British and Japanese have already expressed their desire to organize the 70th Anniversary of Nungshigum Battle from August 4 to 14 this year.

The State would benefit a lot from such event if the Government plays active roles in preserving this historical place, Rajeshwar observed.