State observes 71st I-Day admits boycott
IMPHAL | Aug 16
As in other parts of the country, the 71st Independence Day was celebrated in the State as well. The State level celebration was held at 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles ground with chief minister N. Biren Singh as the chief guest.
The observation was held under tight security as different underground outfits have boycotted the Independence Day. Educational institutes, government offices and commercial places wore a deserted look while a few commuters were seen on the road.
Meantime the chief minister hoisted the national tricolour amid playing of national anthem by various band contingents.
Speaking at the occasion, N. Biren observed that people need to march forward together with an objective to achieve progress and development of the State by forgetting all the differences and past mistakes.
He urged all concerned to resolve the issues through talks if they have any dissatisfaction with the initiatives being taken up by the present government.
Celebration of the country’s Independence Day and paying homage to the martyrs and freedom fighters, who gifted freedom to the current generation, would be meaningful and bear fruit only when people concentrate on accomplishing their tasks and objectives with a strong sense of patriotism by forgetting all the differences.
He also appealed to the public to put in collective effort to make Manipur a peaceful and strong State having egalitarian development.
Though Manipur had also achieved many milestones of development being a part of the vast and strong India in the past 70 years, the State still needs to work hard to enhance the State’s economy and improve connectivity infrastructures, communication and conditions of children and women etc., he said.
Mentioning the achievements of the newly formed BJP-led coalition government, the chief minister said that the government had successfully resolved UNC’s economic blockade and the stir of JAC Against Anti-Tribal Bills within a short period of time.
He also said the government has a firm commitment to bring equal development in all parts of the State to regain emotional integrity between hill and valley.
Admitting that the current financial health of the State is not that good, the chief minister informed the gathering that the State government had started taking up necessary measures to maintain financial prudence and improve resource mobilisation.
Effective implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) is an important step towards this end, he added.
Earlier, he took salute from 43 march-past contingents of BSF, CRPF, Assam Police, civil police, India Reserve Battalion, Manipur Fire Service, Home Guards and VDF personnel, NCC Cadets, Government Department employees and college and school students.
Commandant of 3rd IRB, Thokchom Vikramjit Singh, was the parade commander.
Eleven band platoons of different security forces, Home Guards and Sainik School also took part in the march past.
The chief minister later decorated two police officers with President’s Police Medal for distinguished service and presented Police Medal for meritorious service to 20 personnel.
Recipients of the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service were: A Ghanashyam Sharma, (Dy. SP of Imphal West) and jemadar Bisham Dev Thakur of MPTC, Pangei while the recipients of Police Medal for Meritorious Service were H. Gyaneshwar, (Dy. CO of 7th MR), inspector T Sanatomba Singh (CID SB), inspector Kh. Shashi Kumar Singh (CID SB), inspector O. Jibonchandra Singh (CID Security), inspector Palmei Shantikumar Kabui (CID Security), inspector A.S Masongam Shimray (Senapti), subedar T.S Chamna Anal (8th Bn. Manipur Rifles), inspector Th. Nilamani Singh (Noney district), sub-inspector S. Guni Singh (CID SB), sub-inspector Kh. Debananda (CID SB), jemadar Th. Bharatchandra Singh (1st IRB), assistant sub-inspector N. Dilip Singh (CID SB), assistant sub-inspector O. Achoubi Devi (CID SB), Havildar Y. Manglemjao Singh (MPTC), Havildar Lunkhosei Haokip (2nd MR), Havildar R.K Sarat (2nd MR), Havildar Md. Rahimuddin (2nd MR), head constable L. Khamba Singh (Imphal West), rifleman Mangjathang Haokip (MPTC) and rifleman Kh. Babudhon (MPTC).
The chief minister also presented Police Trophy for community service and Police Trophy for anti-drug campaign for the first time from this year at the function.
The award included a trophy, a cash reward of Rs. 20,000 and a chief minister’s commendation certificate.
Ministers, MLAs, top civil, police and military officers, government employees and general public also took part in the celebration.
Read more / Original news source: http://www.ifp.co.in/item/2892-let-s-forget-differences-and-march-forward-appeals-biren