I-Day celebrated amidst UG boycott calls, bomb blasts
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 16 2013 : As celebrated in other parts of the country, the 67th Independence Day was also celebrated in the State yesterday amidst boycott called by several underground outfits.

The celebration was also marred by bomb blasts at two different places namely Yaiskul Police Lane in Imphal West and Porompat in Imphal East.

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded at around 8 am yesterday at Yaiskul Police Lane near SK Furniture close to the 1st Manipur Rifles Campus, where the state level Independence Day Celebration was held.

There was no casualty in the blast.

Another bomb explosion took place near Industries Office, Porompat at around 4.30 pm yesterday.

There was no casualty in this blast too.

The main celebration was held at the Parade Ground of 1st Manipur Rifles Battalion with Chief Minister Okram Ibobi hoisting the tricolour national flag along with taking salute from the march past contingents.

CM Ibobi receiving the salute of the march pass contingent during Independence Day celebration at Imphal

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi said that the Government has firm commitment to safeguard the state's territorial integrity.

No demand for disintegration of the State would be accepted.

The Alternative Arrangement and Kuki State are impossible demands, he asserted.

Manipur is a part of independent India and so the demand for sovereignty is absurd.

The Government would face any threat to disintegrate the State's integrity, the Chief Minister enjoined.

Clarifying to the reports of large territory of Manipur getting lost to Myanmar as a result of ongoing border fencing, the Chief Minister said that the boundaries along nine border pillars between Manipur and Myanmar are yet to be settled.

The State Government has been urging the Central Government to conduct resurvey of Indo-Myanmar boundaries, he added.

With regard to the reported division of Govajang Village between India and Myanmar by the border fencing, Ibobi stated that a case is going on at the High Court over construction of two huts of Govajang Village at the zero line between India and Myanmar.

No structure is to be constructed at the zero line, he noted.

He further said that the wall of Tamil Sangam Temple is also built at the zero line.

However, there is a plan to keep the wall intact by handing over the land of some other place to Myanmar.

The State Government is in constant communication with the Centre over border issue, Chief Minister averred.

A high level committee headed by State Principal Secretary (Home) and comprising IGAR (South), BRO officials, Deputy Commissioner of Chandel, ADC of Moreh and other top police officials as members has been formed to monitor the ongoing border fencing works, Ibobi noted.

Altogether 13 Police medals were also distributed during the Independence Day Celebration yesterday.

DSP of Imphal West Sarangthem Ibomcha, Sub Inspector of Imphal West Kh Basanta, Sub Inspector of Imphal West Potsangbam Tarunkumar, Sub Inspector of Imphal West Toijam Khogen, Sub Inspector of Imphal West Khangembam Sushilkumar and Jamandar of 6th MR Binoy Irom were honoured with Police Medal for Gallantry.

The President's Police Medal for Distinguished Services was awarded to Inspector of CID (SB) Nongmaithem Ibohanbi while DIG Range-I Clay Khongsai, SP (Telecom) H Kullachandra, retired Subedar of 1st MR Naorem Chandrajini, Havildar of 4th IRB Bhadra Bhattarai, Havildar of 2nd IRB Athokpam Tombi and Havildar of MPTC Laiphrakpam Ibotombi Singh were presented Police Medal for Meritorious Services.

The Independence Day celebration was also attended by Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs and officials of civil and police departments.

The Independence Day celebration was also reportedly at other district headquarters and sub-divisional headquarters of the State yesterday.

At Tamenglong, addressing the public who gathered on the occasion of 67th Independence Day celebration yesterday, Deputy Commissioner of the district C.Arthur W, IAS, said that there is no dearth of fund for Tamenglong, however, the only condition is the ability to utilize the money on time and for the purpose it was intended for.

"It is unfortunate that the second instalment of BRGF fund has been lapsed due to late received of funds at district level, but this has been compensating to some extend by the Ministry by increasing the allocation this year.

We are expected it very soon" C.Arthur said.

He also highlighted a number of development works that are being taken up in the district and thanked all the public leaders for extending their cooperation.

This year, only three contingents- Civil police, 5th MR and VDF participated in the march past parade of the Independence day celebration due to the non-cooperation movement launched by the frontal organisations of Tamenglong.

The independence football tournament too halted this year.

The District Sport Association, Tamenglong had tried to re-fix the match on 14 August 2013 .

However, supporters of the UNC-sponsored bandh along with volunteers of the non cooperation movement halted the tournament.

All shops and markets also remained closed during the Independence Day celebration in Tamenglong to show the solidarity to the non-cooperation movement against deplayed in construction of Tamenglong- Khongsang road.

At Moreh sub-division of Chandel district, the Independence Day celebration was held at the newly inaugurated Mini Secretariat office complex with Robert Singh Kshetrimayum, IAS, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Moreh hoisting the National Flag.

On the occasion attended by Government officials, community leaders, village chiefs, school students and teachers, Md.Akbar, S.I of Moreh Police, led a march past contingent of Moreh Police and 8 Manipur Rifles as parade commander.

In appreciation of their dedicated services, staffs of various Government departments were also honoured with certificates and the village chiefs were presented the traditional red blankets on the occasion.