The Manipur government is looking for a suitable site for construction of a memorial for the Indian Army in recognition of the sacrifice made by them for the security of the country, announced Chief Minister N Biren Singh while addressing the gathering of the Armed Forces Veterans Day on Sunday.
An amount of Rs 3 crore had been earmarked for the same, he said in commemoration of 8th Armed Forces Veterans Day at the Banquet Hall of the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles.
CM Biren said that the Armed Forces Veterans Day is observed to honour those who had rendered selfless service for the security and safeguard of the motherland and had sacrificed their lives for the sake of the nation.
“The state has the highest number of officers serving in the armed forces in terms of per capita,” he said. Many Manipuris are presently serving the nation working in the armed forces, he added.
Biren informed that 5 per cent reservation had been made for the ex-servicemen in state government job’s recruitment and further an age relaxation of 5 years had been availed for appearing in job recruitment through Manipur Public Service Commission.
He highlighted that the state had so far produced two Army Officers of the rank of Lieutenant Generals, despite its small population.
He recalled the sacrifices made by army officers from the state like Major Laishram Jyotin Singh and Major Bob Khathing, and assured that the construction of the memorial would be completed before the Armed Forces Veterans Day next year.
He appealed to the public to stand together against any forces who try to disintegrate the unity of the state and the Country.
It should be mentioned that Armed Forces Veterans Day is observed every year on 14th January, taking the day of the retirement of Field Marshal K.M Cariappa, the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, from his service. The day is also observed to pay respects to the ex-servicemen for their selfless duty and sacrifices and reinforce solidarity towards the Next of Kin of these brave hearts.
During the programme, CM felicitated distinguished and gallantry award winning veterans and Veer Naris as a mark of respect for their service towards the nation.
The commemoration was attended by speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Th Satyabrata, ministers, Member of Parliament, MLAs, chief secretary, security advisor, Director General of Police, high ranking officials of Civil, Police, Army, Paramilitary forces and armed forces veterans.
