Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has appealed to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to intervene and safeguard the historic Koirengei airfield, describing it as a priceless World War II heritage site whose continued alteration has triggered public concer.

In a statement shared on social media, Singh said that during his tenure as Chief Minister from 2017 to 2025, he had written multiple letters to successive Defence Ministers seeking preservation of the airfield, which served as a key Allied base during World War II. He added that several rounds of discussions were also held between officials of the Defence Ministry and the Manipur government regarding the matter.
Expressing anguish over recent developments, Singh stated that it “pains” him to witness ongoing destruction and fresh construction activities at the site despite years of appeals and consultations. He noted that these developments have caused significant unease among civilians.
Highlighting land allocations in the vicinity, Singh said that over 300 acres had already been donated to the Assam Rifles and are presently 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 part of the nation’s shared historical legacy, Singh urged the Defence Minister to step in and ensure its protection in the larger interest of Manipur and the country as a whole.