The memories of World War II came alive on Friday in Manipur as the north-eastern state commemorated the 71st anniversary of the Battle of Red Hill.
Apart from the top brass of the Manipur government, dignitaries from the Far East were present as the ceremony that also marks beginning of Manipur’s tryst in promoting itself as a World War (WW) II tourism destination. The anniversary ceremony was jointly organized by Manipur Tourism Forum and WW-II Imphal campaign foundation.
The ceremony began with Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh offering floral tributes at the WW II memorial along with Ambassador of Japan to India Takeshi Yagi and Australian High Commissioner to India Patrick Suckling. They also visited the Commonwealth War Grave Centre.
Addressing the gathering, Singh said: “We commemorated and remember one of the fiercest battles that took place in Manipur during WW II which came to be known as the Battle of Red Hill at Maibam Lotpa Ching today. But this should not end here. We are interested in promoting war tourism here. We will also send a proposal to the Central government.”
The battle of red hill was fought in Maibam Lotpa Ching village which became very decisive in the war. It is believed that the Japanese and the Allied forces were engaged in a hand-to-hand fight in this battle, which went over a week at the end of May 1944, leaving hundreds dead.
The Japanese suffered the most casualties. At the time of the war, Manipur was a princely state with a population of nearly 5 lakh and suffered the brunt of the war like its neighbour Nagaland.
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