Manipur celebrates I-Day amidst serial bomb blasts
CM O Ibobi collapses twice, remains untreated for 5 minutes
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 16, 2012: As in other parts of the country, the 66th Independence Day of India was also celebrated at 1st Manipur Rifles Parade Ground here yesterday.

However, the celebration was jolted by a series of bomb blasts in different parts of the state despite the tight security measures put in place by the state government.

Four bomb blasts which took place in Imphal East, Imphal West and Thoubal district also left four civilians including two women injured.

The first incident of blast took place near Thoubal Mela ground at around 7:40 am yesterday.

Four persons including two women sustained injuries in the blast and they were admitted to Thoubal District Hospital for treatment.

The injured persons are Waikhom Manao (45) s/o W Yaima of Thoubal Athokpam Khunnou; Ningombam Ongbi Manishang (65) w/o N Kalijao of Thoubal Ningombam; Akoijam Ongbi Sanajaobi (55) w/o A Ibochouba of Thoubal Wangmataba and Manaku Das of Silchar but staying near Thoubal Mela ground.

The second blast occurred at around 8:30 am at Sagolband Salam Leikai.

Not long after that, another bomb went off at around 8:40 am near GM Godown at Telipati.

The fourth blast took place at Mahabali at around 10:30 am.

No one was hurt in the later three bomb blasts.

On the other hand, while attending the Independence Day function as Chief Guest at the 1st Manipur Rifles parade ground, Chief Minister O Ibobi collapsed twice.

Soon after arrival at the venue at around 9.30 am, the Chief Minister unfurled the tricolor flag.

Later, he reviewed the Parade and received the salute of the march past contingent.

At around 10:10 am, the Chief Minister was distributing the President's Police Medals for Gallantry, when he suddenly collapsed.

The Chief Minister fell towards DGP Y Joykumar, who slowly led him on the ground.

Wife of Chief Minister O Ibobi, MLA O Landhoni, who was also present on the occasion rushed towards him.

After few minutes, doctors arrived at the spot and checked his pulse and BP status.

The Chief Minister was also administered ORS.

After about five minutes of rigorous medical attention, the Chief Minister regained consciousness and resumed distribution of Police Medals.

After distribution of the medals, the Chief Minister was delivering his address for about four minutes, when he lost consciousness again and was helped by his guards from felling down on the ground.After about five minutes, an ambulance arrived and doctors helped the Chief Minister to regain consciousness.

The people who were gathered at the occasion were visibly upset over the poor medical arrangements, where the swooning Chief Minister was left untreated for five minutes.

On regaining consciousness, the Chief Minister was carried to his official residence in his Ambassador car with the doctors accompanying him.

Earlier, during his speech, the Chief Minister stated that India got independence on August 15, 1947 from the British.

It was on this day that the then Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the tri-colour flag of independent India at Lal Qila for the first time.

He also stated that we all need to pay respect and homage to the departed souls who sacrificed their lives for the sake of their motherland.

India today has become one of the most rapidly developing and powerful countries in the world.

The Chief Minister further informed the gathering that the state government is able to take up various developmental programmes with the cooperation from general public.

With the untiring efforts of the state government and the big packages offered by the Central government, the state government has been able to bring a big change in the development of the state.

However, we still have a long way to go.

He also pointed out that various mega projects have been completed and others are in the pipeline.

The construction of INA Memorial Complex and Khongjom War Memorial Complex would also be taken up shortly.

The State is also showing lot of improvement in the field of Education and Human Resource Development with MU converted into a Central University, establishment of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University and other technical institutions like NIT, JNIMS, STPI, etc, the Chief Minister added.

In the field of sports, the state is on top of other states today and is being regarded as the Powerhouse of Sports with a number of Olympians and International players produced from the state.

MC Mary Kom has bagged a Bronze Medal in the London Olympics in the Women's Boxing and brought laurels not only to the state but also to the country.

The incentives given to sportspersons of the state have been increased to encourage upcoming sportspersons of the state, the Chief Minister said.

He also took note of lack of water in the paddy fields of the state following deficient rainfall thereby causing concern among the farmers and said that 400 pump sets have been distributed to the farmers of the state.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister pointed out that the state government has kept in reserve an amount of Rs 11 crores for providing Rabi crops, fertilizers and other required trainings to the farmers who have been hit hard by deficient rains.

In connection with the Independence Day celebration, the State Government has relaxed the term of two prisoners.

The function was also attended by Ministers, MLAs, Police Officials and top officials of different government departments.

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