State police bask under the Sun on its day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 19 2008: Parade by police contingents, exhibition of seized arms and ammunition and fireworks display later in the evening marked the 116th Raising Day celebration of Manipur Police at the 1st Manipur Rifles ground today.

Manipur Police was raised on this day in 1892 as State Military Police with the personnel utilised both in police and army tasks.

It is informed that the centenary year celebration was held in a low key manner in 1996 compared to the grand celebration for the first time this year.

Gracing the occasion as the chief guest, Governor Gurbachan Jagat exulted that through recruitment of additional personnel, purchase of modern weapons and gadgets and addressing other essential requirements under the first phase of Police Action Plan acts of terrorism could be dealt with satisfactorily.

Governor Gurbachan Jagat inspecting the arms recovered by Manipur police all these years

Admitting that Central security forces are not well versed or familiar with the terrain of Manipur, he also expressed confidence that through proper and purposeful implementation of Police Action Plan mobility and execution of assigned tasks by the State forces could be achieved appreciably.

further observing that like in the States of Punjab, jammu & Kashmir and Andhra pradesh, people of manipur have started to realise that have begun to realise that acts of militancy had been causing severe hardships to the society with the masses fed up of insurgency campaigns, the Governor also remarked that people today long for a tranquil environment where their children could peacefully concentrate on their studies and protection of their hard earned source of sustenance.

Echoing the masses' sentiment of living in peace and improvement in the socio-economic condition of the State, he also reminded that the centre is more than willing to leverage the State to the path of prosperity and well being through various development programmes.

The chief guest also exhorted the masses to strive for restoring peace in the State without which economic development would be elusive.

In his presidential address, Director General of Police Y Joykumar revealed that about 30 militant organisations are operating in the State with many of these armed groups established on the ideology of ethnicity with extortion and upholding their (groups) own interest the crux of their agenda and activity.

Some other armed groups have independence on their programme, he added.

Without divulging much details, he stated that an Action Plan of the police has been worked out and when activated into action problems besieging the State could be tackled to consequently promote improved law and order situation.

Contending that joint anti-insurgency operation being carried out with Central and para-military forces on regular basis had been able to contain insurgency movement in the State in the past few years, he also conceded that it was the efforts of the Assam Rifles that led to signing suspension of operation with 19 armed organisations.

The armed groups yet to be involved in similar exercise are insurgent groups that have strong presence or operates mainly in the valley areas, the police said remarked.

Opining that in sync with changes being observed all around insurgent groups not involved in the suspension of operation agreement too need to review their stoic stance, Joykumar also expressed that in the present age independence implies socio-economic rights of the people, political independence, equality, economic emancipation etc.

Reminding that democracy is the most popular and widely revered form of governance, he also called upon the UG groups to come forward for negotiation so that Manipur could head towards an era marked by rapid progress and prosperity.

The celebration began with the arrival of the Governor who inspected the parade and took the salute from the 13 march past contingent including women police and female traffic personnel.

The chief guest also presented prizes to position holders of essay, mathematics, debate and science competitions organised in connection with the police raising day.

Display of armed seized by police personnel from across the State and a photo exhibition highlighting police achievement were the other attraction of the celebration.