Manipur celebrates 51st Statehood Day
"Govt will root out poppy plantation, drug menace"
Source: The Sangai Express // DIPR

Imphal, January 21 2023: Manipur celebrated its 51st Statehood Day at the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles Parade Ground today, with Chief Minister N Biren Singh gracing the function as chief guest.

The main highlight of the celebration was the taking of the general salute and inspection of parade by the Chief Minister.

March past by 14 contingents and performance by combined band platoons formed an attention-grabbing part of the celebration.

The celebration was also attended by Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and senior civil and police officials, among others.

Greeting the people of the State on the occasion, Chief Minister N Biren Singh recalled the history of Manipur and stressed that people should remember every memorable historical event.

He mentioned Chahi Taret Khuntakpa, the hardships faced by the people during the period and the contributions of the brave forefathers to liberate Manipur from the Burmese.

"All of us should honour the selfless and heroic contributions of our forefathers and the great leaders," he said.

The Chief Minister further recalled the period of British colonialism and the sacrifices made by the brave sons of Manipur who fought to defend the sovereignty of the motherland.

"We are sons and daughters of those brave forefathers who possessed the quality of conviction, commitment and sacrifice," he said adding everyone should live with dignity and help the needy and render their service for the development of the State.

He appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Central leaders for their concern and efforts to save the identity and culture of Manipur and bring development in the State.

He also maintained that the law and order situation of the State has improved considerably.

Many members of UG groups have been brought to the mainstream through dialogues and interaction under the initiative of the Central and State Governments, he added.

Appreciating and lauding the contributions of the people working in different sectors for development of the State, he stated that many of the people of Manipur are representing the country in almost all the sectors including defence, information technology, sports and education, among others.

The State Government has been putting in every effort to bring quality education and develop the higher education sector, he said, mentioning the increase in the number of the much needed MBBS seats in the State.

N Biren further expressed that Manipur is developing at a fast pace and she is now able to attract many domestic and foreign tourists.

Many visitors have acknowledged and recognised the progress the State has made and her potential.

As such, Manipur has been offered to host events of G20 and the Grand Finale of Femina Miss India this year, the Chief Minister said.

Maintaining that the State Government aims to take governance and development to far flung rural and hill areas, he appreciated the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of different districts for holding Meeyamgi Numit every month to attend to the grievances and provide services to the people.

Appealing to the public not to be involved in any antisocial activities or illegal drugs businesses, he assured that the Government will root out poppy plantations and the drug menace.

Raising concern on large scale deforestation being carried out in the State, N Biren informed that a mass tree plantation campaign will be organised, with participation of all Government officials, from March to July this year.

He also directed the authorities concerned to arrange saplings for the campaign.

Commandant, 2nd Battalion Manipur Rifles Victoria Yengkhom was the parade commander of today's march past contingents.

The march past contingents included contingents from 6th Battalion Manipur Rifles, 3rd Indian Reserve Battalion, Combined Civil Police (Male) Imphal East and Imphal West, 9th Indian Reserve Mahila Battalion, Combined Civil Police (Female) Imphal East and Imphal West, Home Guard (Male), Combined VDF Imphal East and Imphal West, Combined CDO (Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur), Manipur Jail, Tourist Police (Imphal East, Imphal West and Bishnupur), Traffic Police (Male), SBDDS (CID-Technical), Combined Cycle Patrolling Team (Bishnupur and Kakching) and Sagol Police.

The combined band platoons included 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles Band, 2nd Battalion Manipur Rifles Band, 2nd Indian Reserve Battalion Band, 9th Indian Reserve (Mahila) Battalion Band, Home Guard (Male and Female) Band and VDF Band Imphal West.

Later, the Chief Minister visited Lilong Turen Ahanbi Kaleikhong and inspected the ongoing construction works of Haj House.

He was accompanied by Chairman, Manipur Development Society Paonam Brojen, Chairman, Planning and Development Authority L Rameshwor, Chairman, Manipur Industrial Development Corporation Ltd Kongkham Robindro, Chairman, WAQF Board Mohd Abdul Nasir and other officials.

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