Imphal, August 13: The Patriots day was observed today throughout the state.

Early morning prabhat phery began.

Floral tributes were offered at Hicham Yaichampat at Moirangkhom where Bir Tikendrajit was cremated.

Tributes were also paid at the complex of Thangal General temple at Palace compound.

In the evening the Chief Minister along with his Cabinet colleagues and officials walked on foot from the Kangla gate to the main palace.

Wreath was offered at the place where the lifeless body of Tikendrajit was kept after it was brought from Pheidabung the place where he was hanged with Thangal General on 13 August 1891.They further walked towards Pheidabung at Khwairamband on the western side of Mapal Kangjeibung and offered floral tributes at Saheed Minar.

Manipur Rifles personnel offered general salute.

The Chief Minister speaking on the occasion said August 13 will be chiseled in gold in history.

We are indeed fortunate to be the children of great patriots he said.

Our forefathers gave up their life as if life was just a toy he said.

Touching on the present problems in Manipur he said we should put together our head together and try to solve the problems.

Army was called in to help the government to control law and order however the extraordinary powers given to them empowered them to commit excesses.

Human rights are violated in Manipur he added.

He further said he is just a servant of the people for five years, if the people do not want him he will go away.

We should forget party lines and stop taking political opportunity to score points he said.

No one should try to take credit of anything he further said.

We all know each other and there is no point trying to score political points he said.

Our forefathers would really say what we are doing is wrong.

We all should be ready to sacrifice he said.

L Nandakumar, Minister MAHUD, who presided over the function, said the state function which started in 1970 is organized to remember the patriots.

The onus of making people live freely without the AFSPA lies with the people he said.

The day was also observed in all the district headquarters and block levels.

The day was observed at 8 am today BJP State Office, Imphal.

State BJP leaders and members led by Th Chaoba Singh, State president offered floral tributes to the patriots Bir Trikendrajit, Thangal General and to those unknown soldiers who perished in 1891 Anglo Manipur war.

In this speech while paying homage to the Martyrs of 1891 Chaoba stressed that the martyrs of 1891 could lay down their lives without hesitation because their character was ingrained in selflessness and sacrifice.

He continued that even after 113 years of the brilliant example set by our ancestors for the future generation we fail to live upto their exceptions.

The need of the hour is sacrifice and selflessness.

All the present problems of the state are the products of corruption, unemployment and underdevelopment.

A corrupt mind is a weak mind.

Such a mind can never think of sacrifice for the state.

M Bhorot MLA, former state president was present at the function.

BJP, Heingang Mandal led by Y Mangi State General Secretary sat in protest for the repeal of AFSP Act today at Khabam Lamkhai from 11 am.

It was largely attended.

BJP, Wangkhei Mandal, led by H Borbabu also sat in protest today at Nambam Chuthek, Nongmeibung.

As usual the Patriots� Day was observed by Federal Party of Manipur at its office at Nagamapal Soram Leirak today.

L Chandramani, president, FPM, Gangmumei Kamei, M Nilachandra graced the function as president, guest of honour.

The party MLAs, office bearers paid floral tributes to the statue of the martyrs and observed a two-minute silence as mark of respect to the departed soul.

L Chandramani, Gangmumei Kamei, M Nilachandra and L Jatra spoke in connection with the function.

The Patriots� Day was observed in Bishnupur Thoubal, Chandel, Tamenglong, Senapati.

For Bishnupur, the function was held at mine secretariat complex.

Floral tributes were paid to the patriots as a mark of respect.

The function was held in Thoubal with Smt Th Sanahanbi, Adhyaksha, Zilla Parishad Thousal and P Waiphei, DC Thoubal as chief guest and president respectively.

The participants led by the chief guest paid floral tributes at the photo of martyrs.

The chief guest while speaking asked the youths to collect the principles, ideology of the forefathers so that they can help for the motherland.

The president of the function said the state is in turmoil.

So we should work for the motherland by imitating the ideology of those who sacrificed for the cause of motherland.

The function was held at DC Head Quarters office, Tamenglong District level offices and staffs of DC attended the function.

The day was held at Ecological Park, Senapati Sub-Division.

The DC or the district graced the function as chief guest.

The SP, Senapati attended the function as guest of honour.

The Patriots� Day was also held at Mini Secretariat district head quarters Chandel.

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