Imphal, August 16: The State yesterday celebrated the 54th Independence Day at all district headquarters with the main function taking place at the 1st battalion Manipur Rifles parade ground with State Governor as the chief guest amidst boycott and general strike called by several militant organizations.

The general strike was peaceful.

The highlights of the celebration were the hoisting of the Tri-colour and receiving of salute and distribution of medals for bravery to policemen and others by the Governor and community singing by students.

In his speech, Governor Ved Marwah said the Independence Day is not just the occasion to celebrate with joy and pride but also an occasion for introspection.

Stating that the State has been reeling under acute financial crisis due to mismanagement over a period of time, Marwah said there is no soft solution to the problems.

He said that Manipur is facing very serious problems arising out of the ethnic tension and insurgency and urged sections concerned to denounce violence and come to the negotiating table.

He also said that young people of both hills and the valley want facilities of job, education and health.

Reiterating that merit and hard worth should be rewarded, the Governor appealed to the people not to ventilate their anger and protest through blockades, bandhs and strikes saying the poor people are always the end sufferers.

Paying tributes to those who had sacrificed their lives for the motherland, Marwah exhorted the people to rededicate themselves in nation building and march ahead in building a peaceful and prosperous India and Manipur.

Altogether 19 contingents including those of CRPF, State police, Manipur Rifles, Home Guards, NCC cadets and school students and band parties of Home Guard, Fire Service, 17th Assam Rifles, MR and IRB participated in the march past.

Imphal East Addl SP Clay Khongsai, IPS was the parade commander.

Former Chief Ministers, social leaders, top ranking civil, police and army officials attended the celebration.

The celebration was also organized by the BSF at the INA War Museum, Moirang with DIG BSF Manipur and Nagaland PK Mishra in the chair.

In his speech, Mishra said with the unfurling of the Tricolour flag of the Provisional Government of Azad Hind at Moirang Kangla on April 14, 1944, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was imbued with the dreams of free India.

He urged the people to follow the foot steps of Netaji and INA heroes in the task of nation building for a new and better generation of Indians.

In Imphal East district, the DC S Sundarlal hoisted the Tricolour at Porompat yesterday.

CRPF personnel accorded the guard of honour.

District level police and civil officials attended the function.

Bishnupur DC Sajjad Hussain unfurled the National Flag during a function held at the Mini Secretariat.

A march past parade of which Moirang SDPO Firoz Khan was the highlight of the celebrations.

Government employees and local leaders attended the function.

Similar functions were held at Moirang and Nambol in the district.

The function was held at the Chaoyaima Hr SS with the DC T Panmei as the chief guest.

The DC accorded the guard of honour to contingents of the male and female police, Home Guard, Fire Service and 7th AR band party.

Thoubal SDPO K Tomba was the parade leader.

Medals and awards were distributed to 15 personnel of the uniform service and 9 others for their outstanding services.

Ukhrul DC KK Cheerio graced the function held at the 6th MR campus and hoisted the National Flag.

Police, MR and IRB band parties took part in the march past in which 6th MR subedar major Nehemia was the parade commander.

The functions were held at Chingai, Kamjong, Phungyar and Kasom Khullen subdivisions in the district.

Similar celebration was held at Senapati district headquarters with the DC Kritibash Sharma asthe chief guest.

Manipur Police, MR and MR band party contingents participated in the march past.

Several items were distributed to village chiefs, school children and youth club representatives.

Churachandpur DC PK Singh unfurled the Tri-colour and received the salute from around 73 contingents at the Churachandpur public ground.

SP Thanlon, SK Ngaite, IPS was the parade commander.

District level police and civil officials attended the celebrations.

Independence Day celebrations were at yesterday at Tamenglong district headquarters and other sub-divisions.

The DC graced the function.

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