Imphal, April 27 2010: Minister of IFCD and Youth Affairs and Sports, N Biren today said that the objections raised against the holding of elections to the Autonomous District Councils in hill districts is part of the gameplan of some vested interest who wish to destroy the territorial integrity of the state.

The Government stands firmly against these vested interest who are trying to break the integrity of the state, Minister Biren observed.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the observance of the "Dark Day" at MDU Hall organised by the International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) marking the symbolic loss of Manipur's independence with the raising of the Union Jack at Kangla fort on this day 120 years ago at the end of the Anglo-Manipur war of 1891 .

Minister Biren further said that when the election was held up for a long time, the people of the hills blamed the government for not taking up steps to conduct the election.

They lamented that not holding the ADC election for a long period had deprived the hill people of their democratic rights.

But when the government takes up steps to hold the election, objections were raised to the process.

This indicated that there was something behind the opposition to conducting the ADC election.

He also blamed yesteryears' politicians of the state behind the prevailing chaotic and conflicting situations in the state, pointing out that their thoughtless habit of saying something in the valley areas and quite another in the hill areas has created these problems.

If they happened to serve the state sincerely, the woes resulting from the frequent imposition of blockades and bandhs on the National Highways would not have been faced by the people, he said.

As the state is surrounded by very hostile places, connecting the state with railway is a must, he said announcing that Manipur government was committed to facing all the challenges lying in front of the people of the state, the Minister said.

Further speaking on the occasion, the IFCD and YAS Minister, N Biren called for unity among the communities and tribals settled in the state, recalling that it was because of disunity among the princes that the Kingdom of Manipur fell into the hands of the British.

The 12th "Dark Day" observance was marked by the offering of floral tributes to the old Pakhangba flag flown in the erstwhile kingdom of Manipur by the dignitaries and people who attended the function.

Chairman of MANITRON, MLA Dr Kh Ratan was the guest of honour and president of IPSA, H Ibotombi presided over the function.

It may be recalled that with the British occupying Kangla at the end of the Anglo-Manipuri war of 1891, the Pakhangba flag flown inside the fort was pulled down at 7 am on April 27, 1891, and the Union Jack was raised in its place.

The day was previously commemorated to pay tributes to the Unknown Soldiers' Day between 1994 and 1997 by the Manipur University Historical Society, but thereafter it has been observed as the Dark Day by various civil society organisations.

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