IMPHAL, April 23: None of the super powers of the world or the Indian government or under its influence can disintegrate the territorial integrity of the state as long as the people stand unitedly protecting the territorial integrity of the state, stated Chief Minister O Ibobi during the Khongjom day observation today.
The Chief Minister in his presidential speech during the state observation of the Khongjom Day at Khongjom War Memorial complex at Kheba Ching Khongjom, further mentioned that, the people of the state can learned a lot from the war that was fought between the patriots of Manipur and the mighty British empire for the sovereignty of Manipur.
The Chief Minister further stated that it is the duty of the people of the state to observe the day and remember the patriots who had bravely faced the mighty British without any fear during the Anglo-Manipur war of 1891.
He further opined in the state function today that the demand for sovereignty of Manipur from the Indian mainland can never be fulfilled as long as the concerned groups are working for their self strategies without considering the present positions of the state under the Union of India.
He further recalled that the union of India was formed by more than 500 princely states including Manipur.
He also maintained that in the face of India becoming the third super power in the world, the demand for sovereignty of Manipur by various insurgent groups of the state has become far beyond possibility.
The various pressure groups in the state and the people of the state need to have a proper discussion about the consequent difficulties which will be cause by the total lack of the state resources, even if the state happens to get sovereignty, he maintained.
While appealing to all insurgent groups in the state to come forward and start peace process with the state as the state has been reeling under violence for a long time, he added that the immediate need of the hour is to bring in peace and harmony in the state which can only be achieved through peaceful and meaningful dialogue.
In addition to questioning the various sections of the society which has been claiming a step-motherly treatment and discrimination by the central government in dealing with the state, the Chief Minister also suggested to form a forum which could discuss the alleged complains of step motherly treatment meted out by the central government and through which the state could have a united voice against any kinds of discrimination or step-motherly treatment from the centre if there is any such instance.
Coming to the maintenance of the Khongjom war memorial complex, the Chief Minister stated that his government is planning to upgrade the complex for which the government has decided to acquire an additional land of 10 acres in the Kheba Ching surrounding areas.
The state has already sent the Detail Project Reports to the ministry of tourism, government of India and that his government is expecting proper sanction of the required funds for the said purpose in the near future, he added.Meanwhile the state function of the observation started from 9am with the arrival of the Governor and the Chief Minister who graced the function as the chief guest and the president respectively at the Khongjom War memorial complex, Khongjom Kheba Ching.
The arrival of the state heads was followed by the laying of floral wreaths at the Khongjom war memorial by the VIPs with a contingent of the 1st Manipur Rifles battalion maintaining the guard of honour general salute, Reverse Arms, sounding of last post two minutes silence, slope arms and order arms.
It was followed by laying of floral wreaths at the statue of Paona Brajabashi by the Governor Gurbachand Jagat, Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh, MP Manipur Inner Parliamentary Constituency, T Meinya and MP Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, Thangso Baite, councils of ministers, MLAs, state bureaucrats , high ranking police officers of state police department led by DGP, Y Joykumar and with the main observation of offering Tarpan at Khongjom river following soon after.
The Khongjom Day observation at Khongjom War Memorial complex this morning was conducted under heavy security arrangement and the observation was marked with the participations of several thousands of people from various parts of the state as the state government had provided transportations from Imphal in order to create conveniences to the willing and well wishers.
On the other hand, the visitors and VIPs who attended the observation today were entertained by the drama show on “Khongjom War” performed by the artists of the state DIPR drama unit, and also with performances of Nat Sankritan by the artists of Manipur State Kala Academy and patriotic songs presented by the artists of the Roop Raag, Manipur.
In the meantime, similar observation of Khonjom Day today was also observed by the different civil societies and political parties of the state.
The state unit of CPI also observed the day this afternoon at Irawat Bhavan Imphal with Ph Parijat, state Agriculture minister as chief guest. During the observation several members of CPI council participated in the observation during which the minister and other representatives of the state CPI Council praised the sincere dedications that was made by the leaders and patriots of the state for the sake of the future generation despite of knowing that, they would be defeated in the said battle of Anglo-Manipur war of 1891 (Khongjom War). And their selfless efforts and courage must not be forgotten by the present generations and their courage need to be shown to the rest of the world, maintained the speakers of the observation.
The MPP also observed the day at its head office, during which MLAs and representatives and office bearers of the party paid their homage and floral tributes to the portrait of Paona Brajabasi.
