Ex Manipur CM Biren Singh Appeals to Rajnath Singh to Protect WWII-Era Koirengei Airfield
Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has appealed to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to intervene and protect the historic Koirengei airfield, terming it a priceless World War II heritage site whose continued alteration has sparked public concern.
In a statement shared on social media, Biren Singh said that between 2017 and 2025, during his tenure as Chief Minister, he had written multiple times to successive Defence Ministers urging preservation of the airfield. He described Koirengei as one of the key Allied bases during World War II, holding immense historical significance for both Manipur and the nation.
Singh noted that several rounds of discussions had taken place between officials of the Defence Ministry and the Manipur government regarding the protection of the site. However, he expressed anguish over what he termed ongoing “destruction” and fresh construction activities at the location.
“It pains me to witness the continued alteration of such a historically important site despite repeated appeals,” he said, adding that the developments have caused discomfort among sections of the public.
Highlighting land allocations in the surrounding area, Biren Singh stated that over 300 acres had been donated to the Assam Rifles and are currently occupied by IGAR (South), while more than 100 acres have been allotted to the Border Security Force near the Koirengei airfield.
Calling the airfield a shared national heritage, the former Chief Minister urged Rajnath Singh to step in and ensure its preservation in the larger interest of Manipur and the country.
