Manipur joined the rest of the country on Vijay Diwas yesterday, in paying tributes, to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the Nation during the Indo-Pakistan war in 1971.

The State level observance of Vijay Diwas was held at the Banquet Hall of 1^st Battalion Manipur Rifles with Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Y. Joykumar Singh as the chief guest and functional president respectively.

Speaking at the occasion, N. Biren said, Indian armed forces were not well equipped at that time. However, it was the spirit of patriotism and sacrifice that won the war and liberated East Pakistan as Bangladesh. He stated that even many from Manipur were said to have taken part in the war.

Stating that Indian armed force is one of the most powerful armed forces in the world, he asserted that it is now capable to handle any type of external aggression. During his speech, Biren also mentioned about the recent surgical strikes executed by India and successful restoration of control along LAC at Ladakh. The Chief Minister observed that people should always extend physical and moral supports to armed forces because they are the one who guards the country in the borders.

 In Manipur as well, the Chief Minister said, different armed forces are performing extremely well. They have been able to win the confidence of the public, the Chief Minister said. State security forces are working in good co-ordination with the Army, Assam Rifles, BSF, CRPF, etc. to maintain order, he informed. Shri N. Biren Singh said that no incident of ‘police/security force excess’ had happened in the past three years and a half.

Stating that State police is maintaining a good rapport with the people now, the Chief Minister said that it is because of this good relationship with the public that large quantity of drugs and intoxicants are being seized every day. Government’s War on Drugs campaign would continue until this menace is fully rooted out, he maintained. 

Y. Joykumar said Vijay Diwas is observed in commemoration of India’s victory over Pakistan in the war of 1971. On this day in 1971, the Deputy Chief Minister said, Genera Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, along with 93,000 troops, surrendered to the Indian Army. Though Pakistan had suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of India in the war, it still wants to take revenge, he said and added that the neighbouring country is waging a proxy war in Kashmir. That’s why India still needs to remain vigilant, he observed.

Ministers, MLAs, Administrative Secretaries, heads of departments, high ranking civil and police officials also attended the function.