Republic Day in Imphal

Imphal: Amid boycott from different sections including insurgents the 75th Republic Day was celebrated in violence ridden state of Manipur.

Governor Anusuiya Uikey unfurling the National Flag and taking salute from different march-past contingents at Kangla (heritage site), here.

Chief minister N. Biren Singh, Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly, cabinet ministers, MLAs chief secretary, DGP, and senior civil and police officials also took part in the celebration.

The celebration began with the governor inspecting the Guard of Honour accorded by a contingent commanded by Gaurav Dogra, an IPS probationer.

Uikey unfurled the Tricolour amidst the playing of the National Anthem and then took salute from 24 march-past contingents including different band contingents, commanded by commandant of 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles  Ksh. Ravikumar Singh. Apart from this, 11 different cultural troupes including the mounted police and tableaux of 13 different departments also took part in marching contingents following the march-past.

Meanwhile, during the celebration at Kangla, officers and personnel of Manipur Police department were decorated by the governor with the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service, Police Medal for Gallantry, Police Medal for Meritorious Service, Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation and President’s Civil Defence Medal for Meritorious Service.

​President’s Police Medals for Distinguished Service were awarded to Dy. Commandant, 6th IRB Aribam Basanta Sharma and Retd. SDPO Laimayum Amarnath Sharma, while sub-inspector Ningthoujam Ibotomba Singh was accorded with Police Medal for Gallantry.

​Police Medals for Meritorious Service were presented to Assistant Commandant, 7th MR Takhemayum Gojendro, Subedar, MPTC Sunil Kumar, Jemadar, MPTC Yumnam Guneswor Singh, SDPO/Bishnupur Laishram Khogen Singh, Dy. SP/CID (SB) Kamei Abui Kabui, sub-inspector Thingbaijam Lalitkumar Singh, sub-inspector Yumnam Prafullo Singh, Rfn. 2nd MR Konjengbam Pratap Singh.

Delivering the Vote of Thanks at the 1st Bn. Manipur Rifles Parade Ground to the participants of March Past, Biren Singh said Bharat attained independence on 15th August 1947. After attaining independence, Bharat gained the opportunity to bring development to the nation and improve the standard of living of its people, he added.

“In a republic, the power is in the hands of the people, and the government is formed by the elected representatives of the people.”

Every Manipuri has a responsibility towards building a united Bharat, he said urging the people to respect the Constitution and to exercise their rights and fulfil their responsibilities to protect the unity of Manipur and unity of India.

Expressing unhappiness with the present unwanted incidents happening in the state, Biren said the present issue can be faced only when ‘we’ stand united.

After the celebration at Kangla, the governor along with chief minister, Speaker, ministers and MLAs visited Rani Gaidinliu Park at Mantripukhri in Imphal and paid homage to the statue of Freedom Fighter Rani Gaidinliu on her 109th Birth Anniversary.