Imphal, April 23: As in the past years, people of Manipur paid rich floral tributes and homage to all the Manipuri soldiers who laid down their lives to safeguard the independence of their motherland on Khongjom Day today.

The main function was held at the historic Kheba Ching where the last Anglo-Manipuri war was fought in 1891 with Governor Dr SS Sidhu and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh gracing the solemn occasion as chief guest and president respectively.

Speaking at the occasion, Governor Dr SS Sidhu said the day reminds us of the courage and spirit of patriotism of the Manipuris.

He said the unconquerable spirit of the Manipuris and their classic example of patriotism will remain not only as a part of the country's glorious history but also as a unique example of patriotism in the world history.

"On this auspicious occasion, it is high time to rejuvenate our pledge to preserve and protect the sovereignty, unity, integrity and independence of our country", Singh said.

Dr Sidhu further noted that freedom is a rare asset of mankind that should neither be bartered away nor compromised at any cost and under any circumstances and that it is the reason why tens of thousands of people committed the supreme and selfless sacrifice throughout the world.

However, he cautioned that freedom should not be misinterpreted in the narrow sense of separatist tendency.

'United we stand, divided we fall, is the lesson that we learn from history,' he said, adding that any threat or challenge to the freedom of the country and the Nation has to be faced collectively and boldly.

In his address, the Chief Minister called upon the all the underground organizations not to hinder the developmental projects being taken up by the Government and come out for holding a meaningful dialogue.

Owing to such disruptions in addition to the unrelenting violent activities like violent activities like killing, extortion, and abduction, entrepreneurs and industrialists are reluctant to come to Manipur and launch projects and this being the case, the State sees no bright future, he said.

He further said though the Centre is also hesitant to sanction funds at par with other States, "we, have shouldered the responsibility of taking up developmental works against all these oddities".

While pointing out that the security forces are being deployed in the State to maintain law and order and to safeguard the public and their properties, the Chief Minister said, "today the underground cadres may ambush and kill security forces and tomorrow the rebels may also be killed in encounters.

These killings will never bring solution.

While urging the rebel groups to shun the path of violence, the Chief Minister appealed to them to come out for bringing about a permanent settlement in all democratic norms across the table so as to usher peace and development.

He also noted that Mizoram, which was hit by insurgency, has now become a peaceful State where development activities are underway in fast pace without any disturbances.

"The people should emulate the selfless sacrificial spirits displayed by our great heroes and transform the notion in making a developed Manipur", he added.

Earlier, the Governor, the Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers, senior civil and military officials paid floral tributes at the statue of Paona Brajabashi , who who the chief commander of the Manipuri forces historic Khongjom battle fought in and around Kheba hillock and martyred there.

Apart from gun salute, the dignitaries also offered tarpans (flowers and sweetmeats) to the departed heroes at Khongjom river.

Braving the incessant rains thousands of people in their traditional attires joined the observation.

The artistes of the State Information Department also staged a drama on Khongjom war at the occasion.

BJP Manipur Pradesh also observed the Khongjom Day today with State unit party president Dr H Borobabu Singh and vice president Shantikumar Sharma as presiding members.

Floral tributes were offered to the heroes of Anglo-Manipuri war of 1891 like Major Paona Brajabashi, Major Chongtha Miya, Wangkhei Meiraba and other nameless soldiers at the occasion. Meira Paibi Welfare Association, Kangleipak also observed the day by offering floral tributes to the memorial complex of the martyrs located at Mangra Ching.

At the auditorium of Huyen Lalong Manipur Thang-Ta Cultural Association at Irilbung, the Khongjom Day was observed with Association director and Sahitya Natak Akademi awardee G Gourakishore as functional president and president of Divine Cultural Thang-Ta Academy, Tronglaobi K Bidyachandra Singh and secretary Gouro Moirangthem as special invitees.

Homage was paid to the martyred heroes.

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