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 The People’s Alliance for Peace and Progress, Manipur (PAPPM), a voluntary social organisation, has submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi today appealing for the preservation and development of the historic Koirengei Airfield as a heritage and tourist site instead of converting it into a military cantonment.
In the memorandum, PAPPM president Mayanglambam Bobby Singh highlighted the historical significance of the airfield, which was constructed in 1942–43 with the assistance of American engineers during world war II.
The airfield played a pivotal role in the battle of Imphal, recognised by UNESCO as one of the most decisive battles in Asia during the war by serving as a crucial allied supply base alongside Tulihal and Pallel.
Drawing a parallel with the restoration of Kangla to the people of Manipur in 2004, the organisation said that Koirengei stands at a similar crossroads.
It argued that keeping the site restricted under military control would deny the public access to an important symbol of global history, constrain Imphal’s urban development, and block opportunities for heritage tourism.
The memorandum cautioned that converting Koirengei into a cantonment could deepen public resentment due to Manipur’s long history of cultural spaces being alienated through militarisation. It also stressed the economic and cultural opportunities lost if the site remains inaccessible, especially at a time when global interest in WWII heritage tourism is on the rise.
Instead, PAPPM proposed the creation of a Koirengei WWII Heritage and Peace Park, featuring museums, memorials, and cultural infrastructure, which could integrate into a wider WWII heritage circuit linking Imphal, Kohima, and other key sites. Such a project, the group argued, would not only generate employment and tourism revenue but also strengthen national integration by highlighting Manipur’s role in global history.
The memorandum appealed to the Union Government to collaborate with the Government of Manipur, to declare Koirengei Airfield a protected heritage site and initiate steps for its transformation into a hub of remembrance, reconciliation, and global tourism. UNI NS PPP SSP