Will construct world-class memorial: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, October 17 2021:
Chief minister N Biren has announced that a world-class memorial will be built at Mount Manipur in Andaman and Nicobar Islands which has been renamed from Mount Harriet National Park.
Speaking to media persons at his Secretariat office here on Sunday, CM Biren noted that people of Manipur are overwhelmed with joy and happiness after the declaration of renaming 'Mount Harriet' as 'Mount Manipur' by Union home minister Amit Shah at Port Blair on Saturday.
Expressing deep appreciation and gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and other central leaders over renaming of 'Mount Harriet' in Andaman and Nicobar Islands (erstwhile known as Kalapani) as 'Mount Manipur', the CM stated that it is indeed a proud moment for the people of Manipur that the central government under the leadership of PM Modi has given special attention to the state.
"This announcement is the second political achievement of the BJP led government after the first of implementing Inner Line Permit System in the state," he said.
N Biren also informed that the state government is ready to construct a memorial for the brave freedom fighters of Manipur at Mount Manipur where these martyrs were imprisoned.
For this, the government will pursue whatever funds it can get from the Union government.
The state government after considering the feasibility will provide 20-30 per cent subsidy for travel and hotel expenditure for people who want to visit Mount Manipur.
A state guest house will also be constructed in Andaman and Nicobar Islands for visitors from the state.
Plans are also afoot for construction of a guest house at Shillong, he mentioned.
N Biren also praised Mutuwa Tomba, All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) and the past governments for working to achieve this momentous landmark in the history of the state.
He stressed that Amit Shah also paid rich tribute to Maharaj Kulachandra and 22 other martyrs of Anglo-Manipuri War 1891 who were exiled to Kalapani after the Britishers witnessed their great courage, spirit and love for their motherland.
N Biren further conveyed that the people of state are overwhelmed with joy by the words of Amit Shah who has given so much of respect and honour to our forefathers and freedom fighters of Manipur.
He mentioned that the Union home minister also praised the valour and selfless sacrifice of our forefathers who fought valiantly against mighty British forces knowing that they would be defeated.
Amit Shah also recognised the then political status of Manipur and mentioned that Manipur had its own written constitution before it merged to the Indian Union, he added.
Maintaining that historical facts can never be distorted, N Biren said that some vested groups are attempting to distort the history of Manipur.
He appealed to all concerned to stop such ill practice immediately as it could hurt the sentiments of other communities and affect the integrity of the state.
He further pointed out that as per the report of New York Times published on October 4, 1949, the area of Manipur comprised 46,000 square km which was much bigger than the present area of 22,327 square km.
N Biren also noted that wrong name of the state emblem Kanglasha has been uploaded on various websites of various departments which need to be corrected and the government is closely looking into it.
Deputy chief minister Y Joykumar Singh, ministers S Rajen, O Lukhoi, Th Satyabrata and others were also present during the press conference.
Meanwhile, candles were lit in front of CM's Bungalow and at various BJP offices by party workers to show appreciation towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah and the Union cabinet on Sunday evening.