‘Time for forgiveness and reconciliation’

Our Correspondent
Jotsoma | April 4

On the occasion of the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Battle of Kohima World War II here today, Medo Keretsü, Head GB of Kohima Village Council today requested the Japanese and Britishers to apologize to one another and also reach out to the Naga people and heal old wounds and together move forward with the message of peace and universal brotherhood.

Sharing his thoughts to Japanese and Britishers, he said “The WW II started in my land on this day, the 4th April, 75 years ago when I was just 8 years old. The Japanese occupied our village and homes and the Britishers took position on our hills and jungles. Heavy exchange of guns on both sides started and it rained bullets as if it would never cease. Then bombs were dropped from war planes followed by a barrage of heavy artillery. The shelling fell on my village from all corners and the whole village was razed to ashes in no time. Our homes, livestock and countless lives were lost. It is indeed very sad to recall those moments.”

“Let bygones be bygones. Today is a time for forgiveness, remembrance, reconciliation and rebirth. I pray for all the people here to forgive, forget and look forward for brighter days to come. Let peace prevail,” he said while pronouncing traditional blessing at the programme.

Ambassador of Japan to India, Kenji Hiramatsu said that now, the relations of countries which once fought with each other have been transformed for the good. 

He said Japan currently enjoys relations at their best with India, the United Kingdom and the United States, he said.
“I am grateful for the true partnership and friendship we have nurtured over the decades. Moreover, the relationship between Japan and the North Eastern region, including Nagaland, has become substantially closer,” he said.

Stating that this is his second visit to Kohima, he said “The people of Nagaland have always warmly welcomed me and made me feel at home. They have, indeed, been tremendously kind to all the visitors from Japan. Many of you have helped the efforts of excavating war remains with utmost sincerity. I feel a sense of warmth inside, when thinking of the bonds emanating from our deep historical links.”

Stating that he would like to further pursue his efforts to strengthen the ties between our people, he said “I would like to promote intellectual dialogue with the people of the North East, so that we can think about and act together on facing our challenges.”

Lt. Gen. Rajeev Sirohi, General Officer Commanding, 3 Corps said it was 75 years back that Kohima had witnessed an epic battle between the British led Allied forces and the Japanese alongwith the Indian National Army. 

From March to July in 1944, the British, Indians, Gurkhas, Japanese and several others clashed in the hills and valleys of Kohima & Imphal. In the rough terrain and dense forests of the region, the intense battle, which lasted over three months, marked the presence of Kohima on the World Map forever.

He said it has been 75 years since then and it is time to change the narrative from death and bloodshed to Remembrance, Reconciliation & Rebirth. 

“Today, we are gathered here to bow our heads deeply before the souls of all those who perished and to express our feelings of profound grief and our eternal, sincere condolences,” he said.

Lt. Gen. Sirohi paid his sincere respect to the Nagas who endured the greatest battle on their land. 

Extending his salute all brave soldiers who answered the call of duty and sacrificed their today for our tomorrow, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio said “I also remember those who endured unimaginable suffering as prisoners of war, and we honour the ultimate sacrifice of thousands of British, Indian and Japanese soldiers who laid down their lives here in Kohima.”  

We live in freedom because of their brave service, he said.

Rio said “We are launching the yearlong commemoration programme of the Battle of Kohima today with the theme - Remembrance, Reconciliation and Rebirth.”

“75 years hence, we need to reconcile with history and look forward to a future based on the firm foundations of peace and brotherhood,” said Rio.

Rio complemented the Kohima Educational Trust — set up by the British veterans of the Battle of Kohima for preserving the legacy in the true spirit of Remembrance, Reconciliation and Rebirth. 

“The contribution towards assisting the education of Naga children is truly commendable,” he said.

“Today as we reflect with gratitude on the service and sacrifice of so many, we also realise the value peace has for all of us. We are indeed grateful to our soldiers for keeping us safe. We thank you and respect you for your service. Peace and reconciliation is the way forward,” Rio said.

Nagaland’s chief secretary Temjen Toy said 75 years ago, a sleepy little town called Kohima found itself in the middle of a modern war the people did not comprehend. 

Two imperialist powers — Britain and Japan — had brought their war to this distant land of the Naga people. The blast of bombs and the cry of suffering became a common phenomenon. Destruction, hunger, disease, all kinds of suffering and loss of lives followed. It was a nightmare for the Naga people. 

Today, 75 years later, all the principal players of that War — Japan, Britain, Indian and Nagas — are again congregated on the soil of Kohima over which the war was fought.

Today, we welcome you all to our land in peace and friendship, said Toy.

“Our people too have aspirations and, living as we are in the middle of one of the most complex and difficult ethnic regions of Asia, our people are asking what is our God-given role today? It is such thinking that has led us to choose as the theme "Remembrance, Reconciliation and Rebirth" for this 75th anniversary of the Battle of Kohima,” said the chief secretary.

British High Commissioner to India, Sir Dominic Anthony Gerard Asquith KCMG, Sylvia May, CEO, Kohima Educational Trust and Akiko MacDonald, chairperson Burma Campaign Society and others also spoke at the programme.