Manipur on Wednesday celebrated the 73rd Republic Day with festivities and patriotic fervor joining the nationwide celebration. The state level celebration was held at Kangla with Manipur Governor La Ganesan unfurling the National flag and taking salutes from different march-past contingents.
The celebration began with the governor inspecting the Guard of Honour accorded by a contingent of 6th Battalion Manipur Rifles (MR) commanded by deputy commandant of 2nd Battalion Manipur Rifles N Suraj Singh.
Later, the governor unfurled the National Tricolour flag amid playing of the National Anthem. The governor then took salute from 21 march-past contingents, including four band contingents commanded by Commandant of 9th Indian Reserve (Mahila) Battalion Kh Sarma Devi.
The march-past contingents were from Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), CRPF Band, 5th Battalion Manipur Rifles, 6th Battalion Manipur Rifles, Combined Civil Police (Male) Imphal East and Imphal West, Combined 2nd MR and 2nd IRB Band, Combined Commando Contingents (Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur), 9th Indian Reserve Mahila Battalion, Combined Civil Police Female (Imphal East and Imphal West), 9th IRB Mahila Band, Home Guard (Male), Combined VDF (Imphal East and Imphal West), Manipur Fire Services, Combined Home Guard (Male and Female) Band, Traffic Police, Combined Cycling Patrolling Team (Bishnupur and Kakching), MMG Platoon, 1st MR, 3” Mortar Platoon, 1st MR, SBDDS (CID-Technical) (Bomb Squad) and Manipur Police Dog Squad.
The governor also decorated officers and personnel of Manipur Police with the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service, Police Medal for Meritorious Service and Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Police Training.
In Thoubal district, it was celebrated at the Mini Secretariat of Thoubal District Headquarter with high ranking civil and police officers, and school students of the district on Thursday.
Deputy commissioner of Thoubal A Subhash Singh unfurled the National Flag and saluted 11 parade contingents, including state police, home guards, NCC and students from different schools of the district.
Speaking on the occasion, the deputy commissioner said that during the Covid-19 pandemic, various welfare schemes and health infrastructure have been set up in the district. Mentioning that Thoubal district has so far covered 75 per cent vaccination for the first dose and 51 per cent for the second dose, he appealed to the public to complete vaccinations as soon as possible to end the ongoing pandemic.
“Under the Jal Jeevan Mission the district has covered 74.66 per cent of rural households, Uuyal village has achieved 100 per cent supply of tap water and with the DRDA the district has constructed 150 Anganwadi centres”, he added.
Mentioning that the Thoubal district police have busted several drugs and fake currency manufacturing units, he lauded the district police for their efforts in maintaining the law and order in Thoubal district.
As part of the event meritorious awards were distributed to 56 officials and staff of various departments, including police personnel.
The event was observed at peace ground, Tuibong in Churachandpur district in the presence of district civil service officials, district police, ASHA workers, ADCC’s sanitary workers and IRB band party on Thursday.
In the event additional DC of Churachandpur Yumnam Nelson unfurled the national flag along with parade of six contingents which include police personnel, VDF, ASHA workers, ADCC’s sanitary workers and IRB’s band party in which SDPO Churachandpur MCS Precila Tuboi led as the parade commander.
Speaking on the occasion, chief guest Yumnam Nelson said that with the completion of the Constitution India became the largest democratic country on this day in 1950, and the objective of democratic government is for the wellbeing of the public. He appealed to the public for maximum participation in the upcoming state assembly election.
The event was attended by SP of Churachandpur IPS Srivanant Surve; commanding officer of 1st IRB MPS Lunkhomang Khongsai; and other district level officers.
In the event after cultural dance performances by YMA Lamka branch and M Songgel cultural troops, appreciation certificates were presented to 106 government employees and members of different NGOs for their services to the district.
Amid the boycott against the celebration by joint tribe councils under the aegis of United Naga Council, Republic day was celebrated at Haipou Jadonang in Tamenglong district headquarter.
However, due to COVID-19 pandemic, the celebration could not be organised on a bigger scale.
Deputy commissioner Tamenglong Hungyo Worshang attended as the chief guest and unfurled the national flag.
In his speech as chief guest Hungyo Worshang said Tamenglong district is progressing. After completion of Tamenglong - Tousem - Halflong road and ADB road construction and Tamenglong - Khongsang road double lane Tamenglong district will have full development.
He urged all the government employees to extend fullest cooperation and join in the development works.
He also expressed his sincere thanks to all the health workers, doctors for taking up great challenges to control and combating the pandemic.
The district administration Tamenglong gave 24 credentials and awards to 24 government employees.
It may be mentioned that joint tribe councils have imposed a six-hour total shutdown at Tamenglong district headquarter. All shops and markets were closed from 6 am to 12 noon.
Tengnoupal district headquarters also celebrated the Republic Day at Tengnoupal Government High school ground.
Deputy commissioner Tengnoupal Mannuamching unfurled the Tri-colour National flag with a rashtriya salute. Two contingent- police contingents and an Assam Rifles band party took out a parade in the celebration.
SP Tengnoupal B Golianmang; CO 20 AR colonel K Narayanan and officials from different government departments, Booth level officers and CO of BRTF took part in the celebration.
Appreciation certificates were distributed to the staff of different government staff and sports materials were distributed to the village chief and CSOs.
The People of Kangpokpi also celebrated the event at the District Headquarters office, Kangpokpi with the two top women officials district magistrate/deputy commissioner Kengoo Zuringla and district superintendent of Police Amrita Sinha on the podium.
Kengoo Zuringla had the guard of honour and inspection of the parade and set the mood by hoisting the tri-color amidst cheers and applauds from the crowd accompanied by the National Anthem beautifully sung by students of JNV Kangpokpi.
Distribution of appreciation, outstanding, participation, etc. certificate to various DLOs, employees, police personnel, and cultural dance display marked the occasion.
The occasion was also attended by the Kangpokpi Town Committee, Kangpokpi Women Welfare Organisation, Kangpokpi Youth Union, village chiefs, students, and various other CSOs apart from the district level officers.
A non-SoO Kuki militant, KNF-N openly declared boycott against the grand celebration but no untoward incident has been reported till filing of this report.
