Manipur,IMPHAL, August 13: The Patriots’ Day was widely observed in the state today in commemoration of the sacrifices of the martyrs of the state.
The official state observation was held at Bir Tikendrajit park this evening. After laying wreaths to the martyrs monument located at Kangla Uttra, the Governor Gurbachan Jagat and Chief Minister O Ibobi accompanied by his Cabinet Ministers and other MLAs proceeded from Kangla by foot and reached Bir Tikendrajit park.
The VIPs offered floral tribute at the Shaheed Minar and a general salute was given by a contingent of the Manipur Rifles.
Later, a function was held with the Governor as the chief guest and the Chief Minister as the president.
The Governor in his address stated that the Patriots’ Day is celebrated to pay befitting homage to the brave sons of Manipur, who made the supreme sacrifice on this day, a hundred and twenty years ago.
He said that the day reminds the people of one of the heroic acts of the Manipuris both known and unknown who fought at different fronts of the Anglo Manipuri War and exemplified that freedom can never be traded away nor conceded at any cost and under any circumstances.
He mentioned that freedom was lost in 1891 mainly due to disunity and dissenting attitude among the princes.
“It is a fact of history that foreign powers always take advantage of prevailing disunity and factionalism in other countries in order to subjugate them”, he said.
On another note, the Governor observed that the State is facing problems of ethnic and social tensions, extortions, abduction for ransom, senseless killings due to inter rivalries and violence against civilians still continue to be a matter of serious concern. “Calling of strikes and bandhs including economic blockade have become a frequent phenomenon, the sufferers are the common people and such practices should be avoided in the interest of the common man. I am confident that the public will extend their fullest co-operation to the Government to maintain peace and harmony in the State”, he said.
Speaking at the occasion O Ibobi in his speech mentioned that the day has been observed to pay respect to the martyrs who sacrificed themselves in opposing the British empire at the Anglo-Manipur war of 1891.
“The indomitable spirit of the Manipuris will never erode, the day is marked as an occasion to bring together the various communities and for the spirit of independence”, he said.
The function was attended by the chief secretary, DGP and other top officials of the state.
The program was also held in the morning and floral tributes were paid at Hicham Yaichampat, Moirangkhom and at the complex of Thangal General Temple.
The day was also observed at all district headquarters including at Ukhrul, Thoubal, Senapati and Chandel.
