Fitting tributes paid to martyrs of August 13 at BT Park
In the face of FA and ahead of final pact, CM says Manipur will never break apart
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, August 13 2018: Manipur today observed Patriots' Day in memory of those heroes who sacrificed their lives in the Anglo-Manipur War, 1891.The main function was held at Bir Tikendrajit Park, where Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General were hung to death publicly on this day in the year 1891.Governor Dr Najma Heptulla and Chief Minister N Biren Singh attended the observation as chief guest and president respectively.

The function began with wreath laying ceremony at the Saheed Minar with Governor Dr Najma Heptulla leading the way.

A contingent of Manipur Rifles offered guard of honour and general salute and observed two minutes silence as a mark of respect to those martyrs.

Prior to the function, Governor, Dr Najma Heptulla and Chief Minister N Biren Singh led others in laying wreaths in front of Kangla Uttra in honour of the martyrs.

While delivering his presidential address, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that the Government will stand for the people, unity and territorial integrity of the State at any cost.

Reiterating that the BJP-led incumbent Government is fully committed to safeguarding the integrity of Manipur and the sanctity of its territorial boundary which was gifted by the forefathers, Chief Minister N Biren asserted that Manipur will never break apart and no force will dare challenge its integrity.

He made this statement at another Patriots' Day observation held at the Nityaipat Chuthek office of BJP Manipur Pradesh this morning.

Politicians and political workers must work for peace and prosperity of the society, Biren said.

Some political parties are literally made with anger and jealousy on seeing the close ties shared between the public and the BJP-led coalition Government, he claimed.

People have seen a political party which sold off guns while they were in power and speaking like patriots when they sit on Opposition bench, he said taking a jibe at the Congress.

At BT Park, the Chief Minister said that officials from the Ministry of HRD would be arriving here in Imphal shortly and it is believed that the Manipur University crisis would be resolved in the next 3-4 days.

The Government welcomes every suggestion and advice from any individual or organisation to bring development and prosperity in the State, Biren said.

Talking about the freedom of speech and expression, Chief Minister cautioned all the people not to cross the limits of freedom of speech.

He said that people should not speak or do anything which would be a threat to the unity and National interest.

He appealed all the people not to threaten the people's representatives through media particularly social media.

The present Government has successfully minimized the hill-valley divide in the State, he added.

Stating about the selfless sacrifice made by the forefathers for the cause of the motherland, the Chief Minister said that as a mark of respect, the State Cabinet had decided to officially name the JNIMS road as Pukhrambam Kajao Road and Lamphel to Shija Hospital Road as Chirai Naga Road.

Stating that one of the objectives of the Government is to root out the culture of bandh and blockade, Biren said the people have witnessed that there was no bandh and blockade in the first 15 months of the Government.

The Government would try its best to make the State free from bandh and blockade, he added.

He highlighted that for the first time in the history of Manipur, an Anti-Corruption Cell has been established to curb the problem of corruption in the State.

He mentioned that the Anti Corruption Cell has received a total of 5 3 5 corruption related cases.

One official has been terminated, appointment orders were cancelled for 11 officials, 33 officials were suspended, warnings were given to 10 officiate and retirement benefits of 3 officials were held up.

Speaking as the chief guest of the function, Dr Najma Heptulla said, "We should never forget the selfless sacrifice of the freedom fighters of Manipur who fiercely fought the mighty British Empire." She appealed to all the communities to shun violence and hatred among themselves and bring about an atmosphere of love and mutual understanding so that Manipur can move forward towards development.

The Governor said that the culture of bandhs and blockades is a thing of serious concern.

The ultimate sufferers of all these aberrations are the common people.

"We must try to resolve all issues through dialogue.

As a citizen of this country, it is our bounden duty to make the country strong and prosperous", she said.

Highlighting that this day reminds all about the heroic acts of the Manipuris, both known and unknown, on different war fronts of the Anglo Manipur War of 1891, Dr Najma Heptulla stated, "We were never taught about the freedom fighters of Manipur in our history textbooks and the rest of the country doesn't even know their names".

She said that she would urge the HRD Ministry to re-edit the history text books so that the freedom struggle of the people of Manipur would be known across the world.

Earlier this morning, Chief Minister N Biren Singh along with Cabinet Ministers, MLAs and top civil and police officials offered floral tributes at Hicham Yaichampat, Moirangkhom where Bir Tikendrajit was cremated.

A contingent of Manipur Rifles sounded the last post and offered gun salutes to the martyrs.

The dignitaries also went to Thangal General Temple Complex, Palace Compound and offered floral tributes to the portrait of Thangal General.

Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary, DGP, top civil and police officials and students of various schools attended the function.

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