Manipur CM unveils memorial in honour of WWII Japanese bombing victims

Guwahati: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh today unveiled a memorial stone erected in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the bombing by Japanese forces that occurred on 20th April, 1943 during the World War II at Khurai Chingambam Leikai in Imphal East.

It was the 83rd Commemoration of the tragic incident which is known as Khurai Chingangbam Mandop Aerial Bombing (1943). While paying tribute to the innocent civilians who lost their lives during World War II, Khemchand Singh reflected on the painful memories associated with the historic event. He noted that the aerial bombing of Khurai Chingangbam Mandop was a tragic chapter in the history that took the lives of more than hundred innocent people and left a deep impact on the Manipuri society.

The Battle of Imphal in 1943-44 was one of the fiercest and most important battles of the Second World War between the Allied forces and Japanese Army resulting loss of more than 20,000 lives. Such commemoration reminds the tragic chapter in our history. Regarding a proposal put forward to recognize the historic bombing site as a heritage site, the Chief Minister stated that the government would investigate the matter. During the programme, a commemorative souvenir was also released to mark the occasion.


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Yumnam Khemchand appealed the public to maintain calm and cooperation, noting that bandhs and disruptions cause hardship to the daily wage earners and the general public. He also stressed the importance of peace, unity, and collective responsibility.

The Chief Minister said that the Government takes the incident seriously and had held meetings with the Joint Action Committee on two occasions. He continued that the Government had acknowledged the concerns raised by the public and the demands put forward, including support for the bereaved family. He informed that the Government had even proposed providing suitable state government jobs to both the parents of the deceased kids.