Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh called upon all the people of the state to entend physical and moral support to the Indian Armed Forces on the occasion of Vijay Diwas Day on Wednesday.
Joining the rest of the country in paying tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the nation in the Indo-Pakistan war in 1971, Manipur held a state-level observance of Vijay Diwas at the Banquet Hall of 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles.
Speaking on the occasion as Chief Guest, Biren said, the Indian Armed Forces were not well equipped at that time, but it was the spirit of patriotism and sacrifice that won the war and liberated East Pakistan as Bangladesh. He stated that even many from Manipur were said to have taken part in the war.
Stating that the Indian armed force is one of the most powerful armed forces in the world, Biren asserted that it is now capable of handling any type of external aggression. During his speech, N Biren Singh also mentioned about the recent surgical strikes executed by India and successful restoration of control along LAC at Ladakh. He observed that people should always extend physical and moral support to armed forces because they are the one who guards the country at the borders.
In Manipur as well, he said, different armed forces are performing extremely well. They have been able to win the confidence of the public, he said. State security forces are working in good coordination with the Army, Assam Rifles, BSF, CRPF, etc. to maintain order. No incident of ‘police/security force excess’ had happened in the past three years and a half, he added.
Stating that State police is maintaining good rapport with the people now, the chief minister said that it is because of this good relationship with the public that large quantities of drugs and intoxicants are being seized every day. Government’s War on Drugs campaign would continue until this menace is fully rooted out, he maintained.
Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar Singh also spoke as president of the function. He recalled that on this day General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, along with 93,000 troops, surrendered to the Indian Army. Though Pakistan had suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of India in the war, it still wants to take revenge, he said and added that the neighbouring country is waging proxy war in Kashmir. That’s why, India still needs to remain vigilant, he observed.
Ministers, MLAs, administrative secretaries, heads of departments, high ranking civil and police officials also attended the function.
Vijay Diwas also was celebrated by Assam Rifles at Singat public ground, Churachandpur district, and Parbung and Senvon of Pherzawl district.
As part of the celebration, weapons were displayed in commemoration of India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war. The occasion also provided schemes for students to join the Indian army, followed by COVID-19 awareness campaign.
Singat Battalion of AR also donated essential items like rice, sugar, wheat flour, salt, blankets and others at a children home and old aged home at new Mata.
