NNN
Imphal, NovEMBER 1
The Chavang Kut 2015, the biggest post-harvest festival of Kuki-Chin-Mizo was celebrated with great fervour here at the 1st Manipur Rifles Ground on Sunday.
Several cultural troupes from the Kuki-Chin-Mizo communities attired in traditional dresses enthralled the crowd by perfoming cultural dances representing the common heritage at the event organised by the State Level Kut Commitee.
On the occasion , Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh made an earnest appealed to all to celebrate the festival with the spirit to spread the message of communal harmony in Manipur. He said all cultural and traditional values of all ethnic communities should be kept alive.
The Manipur Chief Minister stated that every year November 1 is a state holiday and the people widely celebrate the festival of Kut which promotes peace and forges unity.
Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who was also among the dignitaries present at the event, stated that celebration of Kut festival upholds the co-existence between various groups in the state for a long time.
Gaikhangam further said that the Kut festival maintains friendliness and affection and brings prosperity to the people of Manipur.
He expressed thankfulness to the forefathers for their beautiful art of living together since time-immemorial.
The function was also attended by Law & Forest Minister Debendra, RD & PR Minister Franchis Ngajokpa, Education Minister M Okendro, Health & Family Welfare Minister Phungzathang Tonsing, Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam, PHED Minister I Hemochandra, IFCD Minister Ngamthang Haokip, Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai, MLA O Landhoni and the state Chief Secretary and the Special DGP of Manipur Police also attended the event.
Chavang Kut festival was also celebrated in different parts of the state including Churachandpur district. The district level Kut Commitee organised the function at the Peace Ground, Churachandpur. During the three-day long celebration at the Peace Ground paid tribute to the nine ‘Tribal Martyrs’ still lying at the district hospital mortuary.
The nine tribal martyrs were killed during confrontations with security forces in the aftermath of the passing of three controversial Bills in the Manipur Assembly on August 31 this year. The violent incidents erupted in the district in protest again the three Bills which they considered to be ‘anti-tribal’.
