A memorial complex for the Manipur Labour Corps personnel who died in different parts of Europe during World War-I will be developed soon to organise a centenary observation in April next year.
This was announced by Adhoc Committee on Manipur Labour Corps (WW-I) Centenary Commemoration convenor Yumnam Rajeshore while speaking to reporters at Manipur Press Club this afternoon.
He said that as per an understanding arrived between the then king of Manipur, Sir Churachand Singh and British officer Lt Col HWG Cole, around 2000 State natives were sent to Europe to take part in World War-I as Manipur Labour Corps personnel in April 1917.
Four columns comprising different communities of Manipur left the State for military training in Europe in April 1917.
The Meitei troops were led by Porachao and Angom Porom, Tangkhul troops by RS Ruichumhao, Kom troops by Teba Karong and Kuki troops by Thomsong Ngulhao, he said.
They were given training in digging trench and shifting injured and dead soldiers there, he said.
Rajeshore further said that around 1000 Labour Corps personnel returned home after the war.
The memorial complex would be developed to honour these personnel and a centenary observation will be organised next year, he said.
Saying that a full fledged committee would be formed in a meeting to be held at MSRTC complex on May 15, Rajeshore urged the families and relatives of these brave personnel to attend the meeting.
Although, the location is yet to be decided, the memorial complex would be developed in Imphal, he said
