Red carpet ready to be rolled out for peace marchers
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 05 2008: After covering a distance of over 257 kms on foot spreading the message of peace and harmony all along the way, the historic peace march of the Manipuri Diaspora which was flagged off from Silchar on December 29 arrived at Keithelmanbi today.

On the last leg of their journey to Imphal, the peace marchers would be arriving at SAI Complex, Takyelpat.

Under the banner of Manipur Levy, 2008, around 500 peace messengers are participating in the march being organised by Manipuri Diaspora.

Peace marchers on their march arriving back home

From Tupul, where they arrived yesterday and spent the night, the peace marchers were off on their onward journey by Lt Col TK Singh of the 16 Assam Rifles post at Noney in the presence of SI Jain Jha of CRPF 86 D Coy and Tupul village representative K Rampam.

Apart from the warm reception accorded by volunteers of the Bishnupur units of UPF, AMSU and CADA at Kotlen, the peace marchers were received warmly all along the way by the villagers at Saijang, Sinam, Hoijang, Khanglong Part-II as well as by the members of Royal Riders, Manipur and Khana Chaoba Wangbren Sintha Apunba with offering of water and sweets.

On their arrival at Keithelmanbi today, members of Bazar Board and local Meira Paibis welcomed the peace marchers with a band party.

Addressing a press conference at the office of NIPCO here this afternoon, chairman of the Co-ordination Committee of the Peace March RK Ranendrajit detailed the programmes to be organised when the peace marchers arrive at Imphal tomorrow.

He informed that on the last leg of the march, the peace messengers would arrive at SAI complex tomorrow.

After halting the night there, a seminar would be organised at the SAI complex on January 7 .

In the seminar, various experts would be presenting talks on topics related to sports medicine.

At around 10 am of January 8, the peace marchers would set out for Kangla where they would be received by a team of Cabinet Ministers and MLAs led by Revenue Minister Th Debendra.

After the reception, the peace marchers would halt the night at various designated places of Imphal including Khuman Lampak Main Stadium.

In the morning of January 9, the peace marchers who would be joined by around 500 volunteers from Imphal and will be flagged off from Khuman Lampak form where they will proceed to Langthabal where floral tributes would be paid at the memorial of Maharaja Gambhir Singh.

On January 10, a seminar on HIV/AIDS and psycho-social problem of Manipur would be held at the jubilee hall of RIMS Hospital at Lamphelpat.

In the morning of January 11, a seminar on sports movement in Manipur and in the afternoon another seminar on the performing arts of Manipur would be held at Khuman Lampak.

On January 12, another seminar with Manipur University as the host would be organised on the topic of Manipuri diaspora.

While informing that people from all walks of life and various Government departments have been extending their support and assistance to the peace march, Ranendrajit added that it is because of such support and assistance that the peace march is being organised successfully.