IMPHAL, January 28: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has assured all possible help from his government in setting up a memorial site for freedom fighter Haipei Rani Gaidinliu at a suitable site in Imphal.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the birth centenary celebration of the freedom fighter at the Manipur Film Development Corporation auditorium organised by the Kabui Mothers`™ Association today.
The Chief Minister also said that selfless sacrifices for the land made by freedom fighters like Haipei Rani Gaidinliu are priceless and can never be repaid by the present generations fully.
Rani Gaidinliu`™s statue will be erected at a suitable site in Imphal so that the present and future generations of the land may be able to identify her sacrifices and contributions, Ibobi said.
Making sacrifices was a natural gesture for Rani Gaidinliu, he said speaking of the freedom fighter.
On another note, the Chief Minister said the Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal railway line project which was started in the year 204 is today one of the fastest advancing project among 34 national railway projects and is projected to complete by December 2016.
Once the project is completed, it will be extended in a phase wise manner from Imphal to Moreh by 2020 and then from Moreh to Kalemyo in Myanmar, Ibobi asserted.
Stating that three labourers involved in the drilling of a 5 km long tunnel for the rail project at Awangkhul have been kidnapped by armed miscreants, the Chief Minister appealed to all concerned to release the labourers immediately and without any harm and not to disturb the national projects.
Meanwhile, speaking as the president of the observation, deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam recounted a brief history of the freedom fighter.
He said Rani Gaidinliu was a staunch follower of another freedom fighter Haipou Jadonang`™s struggle against the British since her childhood days.
It is a proud moment for the State that the Centre has released Rs. 5 and Rs. 100 commemorative coins remembering and acknowledging her contribution and sacrifices of the grand lady, the State deputy Chief Minister said.
Gaikhangam said the State government has already constructed a memorial park for Haipou Jadonang in Imphal and at the same time is trying to unveil the nine-foot-statue of the freedom fighter which is under construction, on his death anniversary next year.
The railway station which will be located at his birthplace Kambiron in Tamenglong will be named Haipou Jadonang Railway Station, he said.
Meanwhile, floral tributes were paid to a picture of freedom fighter Haipei Rani Gaidinliu during today`™s observation and two-minute silence observed in memory of the freedom fighter.
Chingjokpou Phaomei of Namdulong presented a Ra-Luh (indigenous musical instrument) recital while Guru Rewben Mangshava joined by his son presented traditional songs.
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh also released a souvenir of the observation.
Planning and Development Authority chairman T Mangibabu, MLA Saikot TN Haokip, MLA Kakching Y Surchandra Singh, deputy Speaker Manipur Legislative Assembly MK Preshow Shimray, MLA Tamenlong Janghemlung Panmei also attended the observation as guests of honour.
