Manipur News

IMPHAL, October 2: As a part of the `National Cleanliness Day` observed on October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, for many years now, the State government held a function and paid floral tributes to the man of peace and non-violence, and revered as the `Father of the Nation`, at the Gandhi Memorial hall today.

The anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is also commemorated as `International Day of Non-violence` worldwide since it was adopted by the UN in 2007 giving recognition to Mahatma Gandhi`™s thoughts and philosophy.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam along with cabinet ministers Ak Mirabai, I Hemochandra, M Okendro, Francis Ngajokpa; MLAs and bureaucrats offered floral tributes to saintly man.

The CM reminded everyone present that Mahatma Gandhi widely known as the `Father of the Nation` of the country is acknowledged even by the United Nations for his dedication and tireless non-violent efforts in nation building. Mahatma Gandhi will be always remembered as a great spiritual force by the future generations, he added.

The day is observed to mark the birth anniversary of the Mahatma who led the nation in its struggle for freedom from the British Empire using non-violence (ahimsa) as his most powerful weapon, the CM said.

Ibobi observed that good thoughts are an offshoot of cleanliness and Gandhi always promoted hygiene throughout his life as he believed that cleanliness was next to godliness and used cleanliness as a spiritual exercise.

Cleanliness within us will make the environment clean, he added.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today called upon all to resolve mutually the problems and issues confronting the State through non-violent means as propagated by Mahatma Gandhi.

He said Gandhi`™s supreme sacrifices and dedication for the nation is relevant till today.

The deputy CM also said that not only keeping our surrounding clean is necessary but there is also a need to keep our mind clean to refrain from violence, creating disturbances and destructions.

After the function, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh led others in taking the Swachh Pledge. The Union government has launched a new mission `Swachh Bharat Mission` which started on September 25 and will continue till October 23.

This mission aims to make the country a Swachh Bharat by 2019 on the 150 birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Later, floral tributes were also offered to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi within the premises of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/good-thoughts-an-offshoot-of-clean-living-environment-cm-ibobi/

IMPHAL, October 2: State BJP president Th Chaoba condemned the cowardly act of planting a bomb at a crowded place which resulted in the death of a police personnel yesterday at MG Avenue at a Durga Puja Pandal.

`Such act is a slap on the face of humanism and we should ensure that such inhuman act don`™t occur again on the soil of Manipur,` he said before demanding strong action against all those responsible for the most inhuman act.

He was attending a sit in protest condemning the blast.

The demonstration at Thangal Bazaar near the blast site was jointly organized by the Hindustani Samaj, Manipur Imphal and the Bazaar Committee.

Shops in the two bazaar areas of Imphal also remained closed for the day.

Chaoba accompanied by the party`™s general secretary administration M Ashnikumar and others joined the sit in protest.

Chaoba said the recent series of violent incidents including ambush of police personnel and bomb blasts both in the hills and the valley is not a sign of improving law and order situation in the State.

If the government is unable to protect the life and properties of the public, than it is not good governance, he lamented.

Such violence has been frequent in the State capital which has left many persons dead and other injured, he claimed.

He also said that the party shares the grief of the family of the police personnel killed in the blast.

The protestors strongly condemned the blast and said it is unfortunate that such a violent incident has occurred during one of the biggest festivals of the hindus.

Meanwhile, members of the Durga Puja organizing committee, where the blast took place appealed against all not to repeat such actions. One of the protestors said such violence could only create fear psychosis and nothing else.

Shops and other business establishments run by non-locals in both the Thangal and Paona bazaars remained closed during the protest hours.

Meanwhile, a member of the Hindustani Samaj, Subhas said since the last 27 years, Durga Puja is being celebrated after taking permission from the concern DC.

Yesterday`™s violence is unfortunate for the people living in the heart of the Imphal city, he said.

He demanded adequate security for the civilian population in the area.

Another leader of the organization, Ramji Sahni said if the government couldn`™t protect the lives of the civilians, than it will make its appeal to the Union government.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/planting-of-bombs-at-crowded-places-a-slap-on-humanism-chaoba/