Serial blasts, attack marred R-Day
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 27 2014: Despite tight security arrangements put in place days ahead, the 65th Republic Day celebration in Manipur yesterday was marred by four bomb explosions triggered in and around Imphal one after another and attacked on a patrol party of 21 Assam Rifles near Myanmar border.

Though there was no casualty in serial bomb explosions, at least an Assam Rifles officer in the rank of Major and a Rifleman sustained injuries in the attack.

Meanwhile, Co-ordination Committee (CorCom) of KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), RPF & UNLF, which had announced boycott of the Republic Day celebration along with imposing a general strike from 1 am to 5 pm on Sunday has claimed responsibility for the serial blasts while RPF has owned up to the attack on the Assam Rifles patrol party saying that it was carried out by its armed wing, PLA.

Of the CorCom-triggered serial blasts, the first took place near the office of Imphal West District Commissioner, which is located inside the high security zone Babupara VIP complex at around 7.30 am, the second near the bank of Imphal river at Moirangkhom at around 9 am, the third at Chingmeirong Sangakpham at around 10 am and the fourth blast at around 1 am along the foothill of Singjamei Chingamakha, on whose top 40 Assam Rifles has their camp.

Fortunately, no one was hurt in the serial blasts.

Republic Day celebration at Tamenglong District HQ

On the other hand, the RPF/PLA attack on a patrol party of 21 Assam Rifles took place at a spot between IC village and Khungmulel village, which is located little further from Sajik Tampak in Chandel district at around 9 am, leaving one Major and a Rifleman injured.

Khungmulel is located about 30 km to the south-east of Chakpikarong Police Station.

An Army helicopter shifted the wounded AR personnel to the Military Hospital at Leimakhong for treatment.

At Imphal, the State level Republic Day celebration was held at Kangla with Governor of Manipur VK Duggal as Chief Guest and Chief Minister Okram Ibobi as President.

Altogether 89 contingents took part in the Republic Day parade.

The contingents were led by the Commanding Officer of 6th IRB N Herojit.

The march past contingents started from the Parade Ground of 1st Manipur Rifles and arrived at Kangla where the Governor received the salutes.

The Governor also presented medals to several police officers in recognition of their distinguished service during the ceremony.

The 65th Republic Day celebration was also held at the district headquarters by the respective district administrations yesterday.

Speaking as Chief Guest of the celebration held at the Mini Stadium of Tamenglong district headquarters, Deputy Commissioner of the district C Arthur W, IAS, stated that this year is the election year and the Election Commission of India has adopted the theme "Ethical Voting" to signify the conflict of free and fair election against use of money power, muscle power, etc.

He called upon all the people in Tamenglong district to come out and exercise their franchise in large number and to keep their conscience intact as people are governed by the people they chose to elect.

The head of the district administration also reiterated that the National Food Security scheme will come into effect by next month to ensure food security to the poor and deprived sections of the society.

Under this scheme, each of the household will be entitled to get 5 kg of food grain per member, he said.

The Deputy Commissioner further informed the gathering that 14 primary schools have been upgraded to Upper Primary School under SSA Tamenglong for the year 2012- 2013 and necessary construction works are set to be started shortly.

Moreover, under NRHM, the District Health Society has conducted surgical outreach camp three times for the underprivileged people of the district.

An ART centre has also been launched to lessen the burden HIV positive people of this district, he added.

For Chandel district, Republic Day celebration was organised by the District Administration with pomp and show at Maha Union Government Higher Secondary School playground yesterday.

Deputy Commissioner of the district Th.Chittaranjan Singh unfurled the Tri-colour flag and made inspection of the march past contingents.

He also received the rashtriya salute from parade commander S.Ingo Singh, Assistant Commander 8 MR, who led the march past parade of 26 contingents including Ex- Servicemen, Students, ASHAs, Anganwadi workers and police personnel.

During the celebration, colourful Cultural Dances of different tribes were also performed by students of JNV Chandel and other cultural dance troupes.

At the end of the function, Th.Chittaranjan Singh, DC Chandel distributed awards to distinguish Government employees and prizes to the winners of the March past competition.

The prize for Republic Day gate competition was won by Medical Department, Chandel.

Along with flag hoisting and distribution of sweets to the villagers, 3 Assam Rifles of 28 Sect AR under the aegis HQ IGAR (South) celebrated the Republic Day at Samtal Salient areas yesterday.

In Changal village, the National flag was hoisted by Solet Haokip, a 108-year old man who was an active soldier in the Indian National Army and fought for freedom of India along with Netaji Subash Chander Bose.

The celebration a Sehlon, Tuitong and Old Samtal included painting competitions for school children as well.

On the occasion of 65th Republic Day celebration, 40 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector AR under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) presented stationery and sports items to students of Keithelmanbi Junior School, Keithelmanbi Village as part of Military civic action programme yesterday.

The event was graced by Brig M K Das, Commander of 9 Sector Assam Rifles, who distributed stationery and sports items to the students and teachers in the presence of Commandant 40 Assam Rifles, Principal of the school and guardians of the students.

Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Lamphelpat also celebrated the 65th Republic Day in a befitting manner in front of the administrative block yesterday.

Contingents of RIMS security staff, students of medical, dental and nursing colleges took out a march past parade and Director of the medical institute Prof S Sekharjit received the salute from the contingents.

Later the Director hoisted the national flag in front of the Administrative Block.

Faculty members, officials and other sections of employees and students of the three colleges were also present during the celebration, according to a statement issued by Media Adviser of RIMS.