THOUBAL, December 7: State deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today inaugurated the State`™s first solar energy run river lift irrigation pump and laid foundation of a village with 300 houses named `Ningshing Khul`™ during the 20th Remembrance Day observation of former State cabinet minister Moirangthem Ibotombi.
The day was observed at the late leader`™s Heirok Part II Mayai Leikai Memorial Complex and was organised by the Moirangthem Ibotombi Memorial Trust, Heirok under the theme `Nupi amasung angangda chat-thatba miot minei leihandaba.`
Gaikhangam also led others including ministers, parliamentary secretaries, MLAs, civil and police officials in offering floral tributes to a portrait of the late leader who was elected as the local representative from 1972 to 1990.
During the main function held at the Heirok Part II Mayai Leikai Polo ground, Gaikhangam said the number of insurgent related crimes have been minimised over the past one-two years, while the number of homicidal cases including brutally killing each other, violence between families and neighbours, violence against women and children have much increased. This is unfortunate, Gaikhangam who is also the State Home minister added.
He said although the human population may be in billions, with groups divided by colour, caste, race, religion, the whole human population can be divided into only two groups- the good who thinks violence is a crime and the bad who cannot survive without committing a crime everyday.
All the violence committed in the world is only between these two groups and the late leader Ibotombi became a victim of the second group, he said.
He was shot dead because he supported unity, development and peace in the State, Gaikhangam said.
Today Manipur is slowly becoming a peaceful and developed State, which the late leader had dreamt of, he continued.
Gaikhangam also said that a healthy society is possible only when we start to respect each other and become united.
On the other hand, there is a group of people who seem to detest development and continue to commit untoward crimes and violence against women and children which has degraded the human race further, he said adding that crimes committed against women and children is crimes against humanity.
Let`™s start thinking of all women as our mother, sister, daughter and pledge today to combat crimes against women and children which has become a global phenomenon today, he said.
While announcing the solar river lift irrigation pump at Champrathong, the deputy Chief Minister also laid the foundation of Ningshing Khul `“ a village with 300 houses to be constructed on a site measuring 90 acres near the Heirok Sanatorium area.
He said social service includes giving asylum to the weak and needy and helping the poor and constructing a village with 300 houses for the poor and the needy is definitely social service.
He said while the Prime Minister had recently instructed the MPs to adopt a model village each, the local MLA has constructed a model village in Heirok.
Speaking at the observation, Education minister Moirangthem Okendro, son of the late leader and president of the Moirangthem Ibotombi Memorial Trust said the day is observed every year with the main objective to encourage peace and development in the State.
He said the observation has today achieved some success as people have today started to consider December 7 as Peace Day.
He said the solar river lift irrigation pump inaugurated today will help many farmers.
He further assured to set up such pumps in other part of the constituency and to complete the construction of the 300 houses for the Ninghing khul within six months.
He further said that the houses will be provided to four selected families from each of the 75 wards of Heirok constituency.
He said the project has been undertaken with the MLA Local Area Development Fund and with help from the other local bodies including municipal council and ZP members.
Meanwhile, the minister representing the trust also handed over Rs 50 thousand each to two students of the constituency who had succeeded in the Medical Entrance exam.