Newmai News Network
IMPHAL, January 30
[dropcap]M[/dropcap]anipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, while harping on the ensuing proposed United Naga Council (UNC) meeting with the state government at Senapati on the ‘alternative arrangement’ for the Nagas in Manipur, said there are no fixed areas as to what the talks will be focused on nor any arrangement has been made regarding who would be participating from the government side.
The Manipur Deputy Chief minister said this during the 66th Martyrs Day which was observed in the state in commemoration of the great freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi and other bravehearts who fought for attaining India’s independence.
The proposed tripartite talk involving the UNC, the government of Manipur and the Cemtre will be held on February 6 at a ‘political level’.Meanwhile, in Manipur the observation of Martyrs Day was held at GM Hall, Imphal, where the Governor of the state, Vinod Kumar Duggal, graced the function as the chief guest and the chief minister, O Ibobi presiding over the function.
The statue of Mahatma Gandhi which stands at GM Hall was paid floral tributes to mark the occasion. Later, a two-minute silence of homage was paid along with a sounded siren.
Mentioned may be made that MK Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948, while he was on his way to offer morning prayers. Since then, the country has been observing the Martyr’s Day every year on this day to reminisce his sacrifice made for his motherland.
Deputy chief minister Gaikhangam, Manipur Legislative Assembly speaker, Th. Lokeshore, chief secretary PC Lawmkunga, DGP Shayeed Ahmed, council of ministers, MLAs and other top officials also attended the occasion.
On the other hand, the observation was also held at the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) at Congress Bhavan, Imphal.
Floral tributes were paid to the freedom fighter’s statue. The chief minister O Ibobi, deputy chief minister Gaikhangam, council of ministers, MLAs and party officials were present at the occasion.
On the occasion, Gaikhangam maintained that Mahatma Gandhi had initiated the birth of non-violence in the country and that the observation itself is a way of practicing it. To attain a particular goal, non-violence is the most effective weapon which will go a long way, he added pointing out that the non-violence movement which was introduced by Gandhiji was recognized by the United Nations few years back.
Answering to queries from journalists, Gaikhangam maintained that it is very unfortunate to learn of some miscreants who had planted bombs at the undergoing Imphal-Tupul railway tunnel not revealing their identity till today. Even if the government has been trying to find out the identity of the groups or the motive behind their act, they have been unsuccessful. He appealed to the concerned party to come clean of their issues to the government in a free and democratic way so that acceptable conditions can be taken into consideration.
Such acts of violence, in fact should be stopped from practice but rather try to take up democratic ways to sort out problem, he said.
