I-Day celebrated amid boycott call; CM rules out Kuki State, AA
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 16 2013 : Amidst the boycott and general strike called by various outfits, the 67th Independence Day was celebrated at all the districts of the State yesterday.

The State level celebration programme was held at 1st Manipur Rifles Parade Ground with Chief Minister O Ibobi as the chief guest.

Unfurling the tri-colour National Flag, chief guest of the function, O Ibobi Singh while addressing the gatherings, said that his Government is committed to the protection of the State's territorial integrity.

Any attempt to disintegrate the State in the form of Alternative Arrangement or Kuki Statehood is impossible and not permissible, the Chief Minister asserted.

On the Indo-Myanmar fencing row, the Chief Minister said that the Centre has been urged to re-survey the boundary.

Mentioning that the State Cabinet has already adopted a decision to set up a committee to monitor the border fencing exercise, O Ibobi further appealed to the people to allay the apprehension that the State's territory would be lost in the process while also adding that the Centre would not part the State's territory without the consent of the State.

CM addressing I-Day celebration

Saying that insurgency problems of the State are hampering developmental activities, the Chief Minister said that it is the time for the organisations concerned to understand the pulse of the people.

The Chief Minister further said that the organisations concerned should introspect whether anti-national and anti-people activities are accepted by whether anti-national and anti-people activities are accepted by the public or not adding that in democracy the real power lies not with the Government or the Insurgents, but with the public.

He also called upon the outfits to pave way for peaceful settlement of their problem.

He also asserted that the Govt would not remain silent in case of Suspension of Operation (SoO) groups violation of ground rules.

Asserting that improvement of road network connection of the land is given prime importance by the Govt besides other sectors, he called upon the people to renew their pledge for the development of the State.

Thirteen policemen were also decorated with several awards on the occasion.

35 contingents participated in the main function at 1st MR Parade ground.

The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has also celebrated Independence Day with Dy CM, Gaikhangam, who is also the president of MPCC unfurling the National Flag as the chief guest.

Chief Minister, other ministers and Congress MLAs have took part in the celebration.

At Ukhrul district headquarters, the I-Day event was held at the Mini Secretariat.

Deputy Commissioner Dr.SK Chourasia hoisted the national flag at the Mini Secretariat Ukhrul.

Independence day parade was participated by 5 contingents along with the band party of 41 Assam Rifles.

The Day was also celebrated at High Court of Manipur.

Chief Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre hoisted the National Flag.

Independence Day was also celebrated at Mini Secretariat Complex, Thoubal with T Ranjit Singh, DC of Thoubal as the chief guest.

The chief guest took salute from the March Past contingents that included 26 contingents.

The celebration programme was graced by Chairperson of Thoubal Municipal and his councillors, other elected members of Thoubal Zilla Parishad, police officials, pradhans and members of GP besides the general public, leaders, social workers, DLOs.

At Moreh in Chandel district, the Independence Day celebration programme was held at Mini Secretariat wherein Robert Singh Kshetrimayum, Addl DC of Moreh unfurled the tricolours as the chief guest.

Community leaders, Govt officials, village chiefs, students and teachers of the border town have participated in the programme.

Presentation of red shawls to village chiefs also marked the celebration programme.

The I-Day was also celebrated in Chandel district, Jiribam sub-division and Churachandpur district apart from various subdivisions of the State.