Imphal, January 27 2009: LIFE IN Manipur paralyzed Monday owing to the general strike imposed by the UG groups even as the 60th Republic Day celebrations went off peacefully Monday with the state Governor Gurbhachand Jagat taking the salute at the traditional march past in the celebration at the state capital, Imphal.

A shadow of authorities not taking serious in the celebration witnessed during the march past parade as the continuous flow of the contingents at the rear part was disturbed by the passing of vehicles of the VIPs including that of Governor.

The march past contingents at the rear were repeatedly interrupted by the movement of VIPs in vehicles with escort vehicles which many of the very few people turned out to witness the event and participants in the march past keeping behind the boycott and general strike imposed by the separatists condemned with disappointment.

Vehicles of the VIPs including the Governor coming out after attending the celebration function at the saluting base inside the Kangla fort disturbed the march past contingent at the rear, most of them being cultural troupes at the crossing points in front of Raj Bhavan.

Some get annoyed when police on duty asked them to stop them or shorten their cultural show to the people.

Audience blamed the government attitudes and said authorities are also celebrating the day for the name sake.

This is a clear indication of government's careless nature to the participants and people watching the event, they observed.

March past contingents mostly from state and Central security forces, home guards, excise, NCC, government schools and other civil organizations including contingents anganwadi workers and helpers participated in the march past, commanded by Koijam Radhashayam, CO, 2nd IRB.

While lauding the people who participated in the Republic Day celebration, chief minister O Ibobi said even though the Republic Day is observed, there would be little meaning if the citizens do not know their rights and duty.

India will be one of the advance countries in the year 2020 but the state is still one of the most backward states of the country, he said while observing the need of centre's special attention to the state.

The chief minister, in the meantime also said that to achieve the goal of the draft Vision 2020 for the north eastern region, people of the state need to take kin interest in the implementation of the policy and programme of the same.

In the march past competition, in the uniform service category, 1st IRB won the first while the second and third went to BSF and home guard.

In the school section, CC Higher Secondary School took the first position while 1st MR School and Johnston Higher Secondary School won the second and third position.

The band party of the 36 Assam Rifles secured the first position in the band section, the second and third went to 2nd MR and Fire Service band parties.

In the cultural section, Sur Musical Centre, Khurai Konsam Leikai, Lamhil-thadou Kuki Research Centre and Thawaijao Hungphung young Student organization won the first, second and third position respectively.

The prizes have been distributed in the beating the retreat function held today at 1st MR ground today which Governor Gurbachan Jagat attended as chief guest.

The day was also celebrated at the district headquarters of the state in which DCs of the respective districts as chief guest, according to the DIPR statement.

On the other hand normal life in the state totally paralyzed owing to the general strike imposed by the separatist outfits operating in the state as a part of boycott to the Republic Day of India.

Streets wore empty look as all kinds of vehicles including two wheelers were off the road in the early hour of the day.

However, two wheelers and very few light vehicles were seen on the road in the afternoon.

Official reports from other nine districts of the state said the day is celebrated at the district headquarters and sub-divisional level too smoothly with people participation.

In the celebration function at district headquarters in the hill areas, a government official claimed turning out of good numbers of people and witness the even.

But little turned out reported in the headquarters in four valley districts.

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