Manipur celebrated 77^th Independence Day with Chief Minister N. Biren Singh hoisting the National tricolor. The Chief Minister reviewed the parade and took salute from 16 march-past contingents

The Combined Band Platoons consisted of CRPF Band, 1^st and 2^nd Manipur Rifles, 1^st and 2^nd India Reserve Battalion and Home Guard (Male & Female).

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh extended his best wishes to the people and appealed to all to pay homage to our brave forefathers who have taken a crucial role in India’s freedom struggle. The continuous revolt against the British Government and the selfless sacrifices made by them had brought the freedom of this country, he added.

Mentioning that the State Government had been giving focus on bridging the developmental gap between hill and valley areas, N. Biren added that more funds had been allocated in the budget for the said purpose. Administrative Prabharis have been appointed to take the governance at the grass root level and as such, the state has been marching towards the development path, he said.

Regarding the ‘War on Drugs’ campaign, the Chief Minister stated that the campaign was not taken up as a measure against any community, rather it was taken up to save the lives of our future generations. He mentioned the effect of drugs on the youths of the state and environmental degradation due to mass deforestation for poppy cultivation, adding that the Government couldn’t remain as a mere spectator. Seeking peoples’ support on the War on Drugs campaign, he reiterated the Government’s stance to totally root out the drug menace from the state, in line with the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan initiated by the Central Government.

N. Biren continued that Manipur is the gateway to India for trafficking of illegal drugs from the Golden Triangle, mentioning that tacking up strict action against drug trafficking has helped a lot in saving the lives of many youths of mainland India. Raising concern on the deteriorating state of the environment due to various human activities, he appealed to the people to stop large scale deforestation and plant more trees to preserve the forest areas. He also appealed to people to preserve water bodies.    

The Chief Minister maintained the State Government would not take up any step which is against its people. As the Government has been formed under the provision of the Indian constitution, it would not do anything which is beyond the ambit of the constitution, he added.

Informing that coaching classes for UPSC civil services examination had been started under the initiative of the Government, he expressed happiness that more than 40 aspirants from Manipur have cleared UPSC preliminary examination this year. The hosting of various national and international events like Tri-Nation Football Tournament, G20 events, Durand Cup, Femina Miss India among others successfully had shown that the state had remained peaceful for the last six years. However, misunderstanding between two communities had caused loss of lives and destruction of properties recently, making people faced much hardships. Many people got displaced and had been taking shelter at various relief camps, he added.

Mentioning that the recent unrest in Manipur had been instigated by some vested interest and outside elements who want to destabilize the state and the country, N. Biren appealed to people of both the communities to refrain from violence and to forgive and forget whatever had happened earlier. He appealed to share their grievances and come to an understanding which will be for the betterment of both communities. He also appealed to all to join hands and cooperate in making up the losses in the recent unrest and take the state to the pace of development as before.  

The Chief Minister continued that considering the hardship faced by displaced people, the Government had taken up steps to resettle them in their earlier places. For those places where resettlement is not possible now, temporary prefabricated houses are being constructed to relocate the displaced people. The Government had constituted committees to provide a source of livelihood under ‘One Family One Livelihood’ to those who have no source of income. He further stated that the Government had been taking up every effort to rehabilitate the affected people and bring normalcy soon.

N. Biren further informed that security forces had been deployed at different places to guard the farmers while taking up agricultural activities. 

He maintained that the state has been gradually returning to normalcy, stating that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had been monitoring the situation round the clock and taking up various measures. Supply of essential items in hill areas had been carried out under his initiatives. He also recalled that the first goods trains had reached Khongsang Railways Station recently. Goods train will also be ferrying more consignments in future. He also mentioned the opening of helicopter service at different places for better connectivity.

During the celebration, the Chief Minister handed over Chief Minister’s Trophy for Community Service to Additional Superintendent of Police (L &O), Chandel Shankerjit Singh Loitongbam and Assistant Sub-Inspector, Imphal West Athokpam Tej Singh. Chief Minister’s Trophy for Anti-Drug Campaign was handed over to Superintendent of Police, Kakching Thokchom Vikramjit Sing, Officer in Charge/CDO Unit, Thoubal Konsam Nitaranjan Singh and Havildar, 2^nd MR Irengbam Dorendro Meetei. Apart from this the Chief Minister also handed over the Award for Outstanding Achievement in disposing cases relating to NDPS Act to the Directorate of Forensic Sciences, Manipur.

Showcase of performances by four Cultural troupes were also a part of the celebration. Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly Th. Satyabrata, Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary, Security Advisor, Director General of Police and senior civil and police officials also attended the 77^th Independence Day celebration among others.