IMPHAL, April 19: As part of ongoing commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Imphal, Commemoration of the Battle of Tengnoupal was held at Tengnoupal Village Hall on April 19, 2014 at 10:30 am with the participation of the village chief, Church leaders and special guest Toney Honeyman from UK whose father had fought in the Battle of Imphal and other village leaders apart from the members of the Second World War Imphal Campaign Foundation & Manipur Tourism Forum, said it in a press release issue by Manipur Tourism Forum.
Tengnoupal village chief H Thankhulien, Chamual village chief Memin, Tengnoupal Church leader Peter, Toney Honeyman UK, War Historian & Researcher retired Colonel Vijay Gidh, Co-Convenor of the Organising Committee Arambam Angamba, Mrs Cristina, Village chief Silvom and W Gokul MTF participated in the function as special guests of the commemoration on the dais.
Angamba narrated the history of the Battle of Tengnoupal and the fierce fighting which happened during the WWII between the Japanese and British Army along with the participation of the Indian National Army on Japanese side, it said.
Toney Honeyman also shared with his recollection of stories which was narrated by his father who was a war veteran of the Battle of Imphal. He said “My father would have really proud and happy if he ever gets the chance to visit this place during his lifetime”.
The Organising Committee requested the village leaders, community members to preserve war artefacts if found instead of ignoring them as junk and also sought their help in any future expedition for war artefacts, it added.
The Commemoration ended with a understanding by the participating dignitaries and community leaders for the need of preserving the history and also the much needed to develop a second WW commemoration park so as to pay proper homage to the departed martyrs. The organising committee emphasized on the development of such facilities to develop war Tourism/Remembrance Tourism in the State of Manipur, it said.