Manipur on Sunday paid glowing homage to the departed souls who selflessly laid down their lives during the battle of Imphal as part of commemorating its 75th anniversary in a simple ceremony held in Imphal.
Also read: Manipur observes platinum jubilee of Battle of Imphal in solemn way
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Lt Gen Ravi Eipe (retired), head liason officer India, Commonwealth Graves Commission, Lt Gen K Himalaya Singh(retired), deputy commissioner Rangitabali Waikhom of Imphal East District, inspector general Major General K P Singh of Assam Rifles (South) and other officials attended the event wherein the dignitaries including many ex-servicemen laid wreath at the memorial of Imphal War Cemetry.
A minute silence was also observed after the last post mil tune played by the buglers.
Religious teachers and preachers of Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and Sikhism read lines from Bhagavad Gita, Bible, Quran and Guru Granth Sahib to bless the souls of martyrs who were laid to rest.
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It may be worth mentioning here that Battle of Imphal which was fought between March 8 to July 3, 1944 with the Japanese aiming to capture the logistics based of the allied forces, is referred as one of the bloodiest battles in the World War II.
It is estimated that 5,000 soldiers belonging to Indian National Army, 5,000 to British Commonwealth Force and 30,000 to Japanese Army sacrificed their lives. The people of Manipur and Nagaland suffered greatly from these battles including aerial bombings. The Battle was the turning point of the Burma campaign.
Victoria Cross, the highest British decoration for bravery, were awarded to five people for their actions in Manipur during the Battle of Imphal.In the recent past the battle of Imphal along with the battle of Kohima were voted as greatest battles by the British National Army Museum.
The day’s wreath laying ceremony cum 75th anniversary commemoration gathering concluded with the felicitation of the war veterans who are living legends and subsequent guided tour of the Imphal War Cemetry where 1600 commonwealth military men have been laid to rest.
There are also reports of commemorating the platinum jubilee of the Battle of Kangla Tongbi War by Army Ordnance Corps at Kangla Tongbi War Memorial near Imphal honouring the martyrs of Ordnance Personnel of 221 Advance Ordnance Depot on Sunday.