IMPHAL, January 30: Martyr’s Day was observed through-out the state today on the occasion of the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The main function was held at GM Hall with Governor VK Duggal and chief minister O Ibobi attending as the chief guest and president respectively. Floral tributes were paid to the statue of Gandhi by the Governor, chief minister, Speaker of the state Assembly, Th Lokeshore, ministers, MLAs, top level police and civil officers and others during the programme.
Similar function was organised by the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee at Congress Bhavan. MPCC chief Gaikhangam, CM Ibobi, party MLAs, office bearers and party workers showed their respect to the departed leader on his 66th death anniversary by offering floral tributes.
At the sidelines of the function, the Congress chief said the observation is a part of the non-violent movement, describing non-violence as the most effective weapon for bringing political, social and religious changes. All people should adopt the principles of non-violence practised by Mahatma Gandhi, he stated.
The day has been recognised as Non-violence Day by the UN and it is being observed all over the world, Gaikhangam stated. He further asserted that violence leads to disturbances in the society and appealed to the public to be united and work with sacrificial spirit, positivity and asked them to come forward for the betterment of the state.
When queried by the media persons about the bomb blast at a railway construction site at Toupul, he stated that AR personnel will be deployed as security at the sites of Railway Tunnel projects. He asked the persons responsible for the blast to abandon violent ways. They can talk to the administration about their demands instead of throwing bombs, he stated.
Regarding the tripartite talks involving the UNC, Centre and state government, he said there is no exact interpretation of the term Alternate Arrangement and his government has no knowledge about the concept of the term as espoused by the UNC. He further informed that the government has not as yet decided on the officials who will be representing the state.
He further said that BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is also a chief minister of a state, hence he will be given security under Z-category during his stay in the state.