WW II veteran languishes without recognition in Manipur

Imphal, June 02: To 84 year old World-War II veteran, Tuleping Newmai of Langinei village in Tamei sub-division, memories of the battle between Japanese backed INA troops and the British artillery are still fresh in his mind. He can recount to the fullest even the slightest details of the Great War. But his only regret is the Government's failure to grant him recognition as a freedom fighter even after more than 57 years of the war. The man who is credited for giving the name of Tamei HQs in Tamenglong sub-division was also jailed for six months for helping INA and Japanese soldiers during the war against the British. Born to E Keipisinana and M Nampuilungliu of Langmei village as the only son among five children, Taleping joined the war for India's independence under the banner of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose' INA while he was merely 24 years old. He recalled that he along with his friend Thonglang, now a freedom fighter recognized by the Government passed information to the Japanese soldiers positioned at Lamlaba of the advancement of British troops. Following the information, just five Japanese soldiers waylaid the advancing British Gorkha Regiment troops at Pallong around one km from Lamlaba and carried out an ambush killing one British soldier and injuring the commander. The ambush forced the British troops to retreat. Two weapons were also taken from the British troops, he added. Taleping said after the incident, the then British political agent in Manipur PA Grimwood summoned him and charged with helping the INA and Japanese troops. Subsequently he was dumped in Imphal Jail for six months. The "freedom fighter" however expressed remorse no record of his stay in jail could be found now. The man in question applied to the State Govt for recognition during 1980-81. However all his efforts went down the drain after the file containing his application was found missing. In a last ditch effort, he approached the Union Home Minister's office which sought a recommendation from the State Govt. The State Govt has till date tailed to make the recommendation, he lamented. Though Taleping could not produce exact proof of his status, he displayed an album and some letters written to him by Seuzo Aizawa of Akayama Kowaguchi city, the then Japanese captain operating in Manipur before reporters. Taleping read upto class VI and had served as a primary school teacher during the British regime. He claimed that the name "Tamei" was coined by him when an Assamese was the SDO/Talukdar of Tamenglong in 1962. The name was given taking "Ta" from the initial of Tama area and "mei" from the last portion of Langmei area as the present HQ is located between the two areas. With age catching up Taleping who is now one of the oldest persons in the area cannot tell which one will come first - his death or the recognition. However, he has still not lost heart and dines to the hope that the recognition may come anytime.