Manipur celebrated its 51st Statehood Day at the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles Parade Ground on Saturday, with Chief Minister N Biren Singh as the Chief Guest.
The celebration was also attended by ministers, Members of Legislative Assembly, chief secretary, Director General of Police and senior civil and police officials among others.
The main highlight of the celebration was the taking of the general salute and inspection of parade by the Chief Minister. March past by 14 contingents and performance of combined Band Platoons form an attention-grabbing part of the celebration.
Greeting the people of the state on the occasion, Chief Minister N Biren Singh recalled the history of Manipur and stressed the need of the people to remember every memorable event that occurred in the history of Manipur.
Mentioning the Chahi Taret Khuntakpa and the hardships faced by the people during the period and the contribution of our brave forefathers to liberate Manipur from the Burmese, he said we all should honour the selfless and heroic contribution of the then great leaders.
The Chief Minister further recalled the period of British Colonialism in the State and sacrifices made by brave sons of Manipur to defend the sovereignty of the motherland.
Reiterating that we are the sons and daughters of those brave forefathers who possessed the quality of conviction, commitment and sacrifice, he urged everyone to try to live with dignity by helping the needy and rendering service for the development of the State.
He appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Central Government leaders for their concern to save the identity and culture and to foster development in the State. We should be thankful to them for their concern, he added.
He also maintained that the law and order of the State has considerably improved and continued that many members of UG groups had been brought to the mainstream through dialogues and interaction, under the initiative of the Central and State Government.
Lauding the contribution of the people working in different sectors in faster development of the State, he stated that people of the State are representing the country in almost all the sectors including defence, Information Technology, sports and education among others.
He informed that the State Government has been putting every effort to bring quality education and develop the higher education sector, mentioning the increase of much needed MBBS seats in the State.
N Biren further expressed that Manipur, with its pace of development, has been able to attract many domestic and foreign tourists. He informed that many visitors had acknowledged the progress and development of the State and as such the State will be holding events in connection with G20 and even the Grand Finale of Femina Miss India this year.
Maintaining that the state government aims to bring governance and development in far flung rural and hill areas, he appreciated the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of different districts for holding Meeyamgi Numit every month, to attend the grievances and provide service to the people. Appealing to the public not to be involved in any anti-social activities or drugs dealings, he assured that poppy plantations and drug menace would be rooted out soon from the State.
Raising concern on large scale deforestation carried out in the state, N Biren informed that a mass tree plantation campaign will be organised, with participation of all Government officials, from March to July this year. He also directed the concerned authorities to arrange the tree saplings for the campaign.
Commandant, 2nd Battalion Manipur Rifles Victoria Yengkhom was the parade commander of today’s march past contingents.
The march Past contingents included contingents from 6th Battalion Manipur Rifles, 3rd Indian Reserve Battalion, Combined Civil Police (Male) Imphal East and Imphal West, 9th Indian Reserve Mahila Battalion, Combined Civil Police (Female) Imphal East and West, Home Guard (Male), Combined VDF Imphal East and Imphal West, Combined CDO (Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur), Manipur Jail, Tourist Police (Imphal East, Imphal West and Bishnupur), Traffic Police (Male), SBDDS (CID-Technical) (Bomb Squad), Combined Cycling Patrolling Team (Bishnupur and Kakching) and Sagol Police.
The combined Band Platoons included 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles Band, 2nd Battalion Manipur Rifles Band, 2nd Indian Reserve Battalion Band, 9th Indian Reserve (Mahila) Battalion Band, Home Guard (Male and Female) Band and VDF Band Imphal West.
Later, the Chief Minister visited Lilong Turen Ahanbi Kaleikhong and inspected the on-going construction works of Haj House. He was accompanied by Chairman, Manipur Development Society Paonam Brojen, Chairman, Planning and Development Authority L Rameshwor, Chairman, Manipur Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. Kongkham Robindro, Chiarman, WAQF Board Md Abdul Nasir and other officials.
