Our Correspondent
Imphal, August 15 (EMN): Hoisting of tricolour and playing of national anthem besides the march past parades despite the seasonal drizzling marked the 71st Independence Day celebration in Manipur amidst the general strike by underground groups operating in North East on Tuesday. The State level celebration was held at 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles parade ground with Chief Minister N Biren Singh as the chief guest.
Speaking at the occasion, Chief Minister Biren said that people need to march forward together with an objective to achieve progress and development of the State by forgetting all the differences and past mistakes. Urging to resolve the issues through talks if they have any dissatisfaction, he appealed to put in collective effort to make Manipur a peaceful and strong state having egalitarian development.
Recalling the achievements of the newly formed BJP-led coalition government, he said government had successfully resolved the issue of economic blockade and the stir of JAC in Churachandpur within a short period of time. He also said that the Government has a firm commitment to bring equal development in all parts of the State to regain emotional integrity between hill and valley.
Admitting that the current financial condition of the State was good, he informed the gathering that the State Government had started taking up necessary measures to maintain financial prudence and improve resource mobilisation. Effective implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) was an important step towards this end, he said.
During the event Singh decorated two police officers with President Police Medal for distinguished service and presented Police Medal for meritorious service to 20 personnel. The Chief Minister also presented Police Trophy for Community Service and Police Trophy which carries Rs. 20,000/- and a Chief Minister’s Commendation Certificate for Anti-Drug Campaign for the first time.
He also handed over the State Level Swachhata Award, 2017 on Cleanliness and Sanitation to Churachandpur, Imphal West and Thoubal districts as first, second and third positions in the competition respectively. Certificate of honour and cash award of Rs 10,000 was also given to Wangkheimayum Shanta Singh of Shamurou Bazar for his innovative works of manufacturing various reeling and spinning machines.
