IMPHAL, April 13: The Manipur Tourism Forum and the 2nd World War Imphal Campaign Foundation today observed the 70th Anniversary Commemoration of the Battle of Nungshigum at Keibi Khullen, Imphal East, informed a statement of the PRO- 70th Anniversary Battle of Imphal
Dr Th Dhabali, Convenor, 70th Anniversary Battle of Imphal attended as the chief guest, Moirangningthou Meitei, witness of Battle of Nungshigum and A Achoubi Singh, secretary, Keibi Khullen Development Committee as the guests of honour and A Angamba, co-convenor, 70th Anniversary Battle of Imphal as the president of the function.
It said the commemoration was also attended by visitors from UK and US which includes, Bob Cook, retired Warrant Officer Royal Signals and curator of Kohima Museum, Yorkshire, UK, Brian Ward, retired Warrant Officer Green Howards and assistant curator of Kohima Museum, Yorkshire, UK, Leslie Edward, Author of ‘Kohima-the furthest Battle’, Robert Street, Son of War Veteran and Author of ‘A Brummie in Burma’, Robert Palmer, a military historian, James Well, son of Kohima War veteran and Tom Johnson, a US Tax Consultant and Coffee grower from Hawaii.
Among who attended the function was (retd) Col Vijay Yashwant Gidh, a retired army officer of Indian Army and currently residing in Pune, it said.
Moirangningthou Meitei, who was 12 years old during the Battle of Nungshigum recounted his eyewitness accounts and expressed happiness in reviving the history of the Battle.
He expressed his gratitude to the organisers and the visitors who travelled all the way to join the commemoration function, it said.
Dr Dhabali, mentioned of the significance of the commemoration of 70th Anniversary Battle of Imphal and the Importance of the Battle of Nungshigum in the entire campaign. David Cook, Curator, Kohima War Museum in Yorkshire expressed his profound happiness in the local group trying to preserve the history by organising the Commemoration event like today. He is also hopeful with everyone’s effort, the history will live on.
Marking the day, rich floral tribute was paid at the memorial sites by well wisher and war veterans besides several Manipur dances and martial arts was also presented by many groups.