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Dr. Najma Heptulla takes salute from the parade contigent during the 70th Republic Day in Imphal on Saturday.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Imphal, Jan. 26 (EMN/PTI/IANS): The 70th Republic Day was observed across Northeast admit boycott called by several organisations against the citizenship bill.
In Manipur the day was celebrated at the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal under tight security arrangement in view of the boycott and shutdown by the several outfits.
Five organisations, including the United Committee Manipur (UCM), All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO) and Committee of Civil Societies Kangleipak (CCSK) jointly boycotted the 70th Republic Day celebrations to protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016.
Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla unfurled the Tricolour and inspected the guard of honour accorded by a contingent of 5th IRB commanded by Bidyapati Thingbaijam of 9th IRB (Mahila).
The governor handed over the President’s Police Medal for Distinguish Service to ADGP (Modernisation) Thangkhanlal Guite and Police Medal for Meritorious Service to Additional SP Jiribam K Ajitkumar Sharma, Inspector CID (SB) Rudra Narayan Singh, Inspector CID (SB) E Bhubaneshwor Singh, Subedar of MPTC Yambem Anderson, havildar 2nd IRB Pebam Inaoba Singh, havildar 7th MR Kh Indrakumar Singh and havildar MPTC Kh Suranjoy Singh.
Chief Minister Biren Singh reiterated the state government’s stand for the protection and integrity of the people of Manipur. He said the government will not take up any steps that will affect the sentiments of different ethnic communities living harmoniously in the state. He also maintained that the government will not remain silent if there are any elements in the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) that will cause threat to the integrity of the indigenous people of Manipur.
Urging the people not to resort to any kinds of agitations like bandhs, blockades, strikes, etc as it hampers the development activities, he appealed to study the Bill.
Reiterating that the Home Ministry has given assurance that the bill will not be implemented in the states without the prior consent of the state government, he also urged all civil society organisations for open dialogue and discussions along with legal experts.
The state government took a decision regarding the introduction of the Manipur People’s Bill in the state assembly so that the Centre may not take up anything without prior consent of the state government in connection with CAB, he added.
Meanwhile, normal life has been severely affected in the border state in view of the dawn to dusk shut down by banned insurgent groups. Roads leading to the state capital wore deserted look since early morning.
Shops, business establishments remained closed.
Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan addressed an almost-empty ground due to a state-wide boycott call given by the NGO Coordination Committee, an organisation of civil society groups and student bodies.
The general public stayed away from the function. Only Chief Minister Zoramthanga and his cabinet colleagues, MLAs and top officials were present at the event, according to the police.
Rajasekharan in his address said stringent measures will be in place to protect the state's borders to execute the Mizoram Village Level Citizen Registration.
Unfurling the tri-colour at the 70th Republic Day celebration in Meghalaya, Governor Tathagata Roy Saturday hailed the state's law and order situation and urged the people to make the most of it to ensure sustained peace and development.
In his address to a gathering at the Polo Ground here, Roy said the law and order situation and the overall internal security arrangements have significantly improved in the state.
The governor, who addressed the gathering after unfurling the tri-colour and inspecting the parade, urged the people to shun violence and resort to solving problems through meaningful dialogues and engagements as violence is never the way out for any problem.
He said the government is laying special emphasis on the safety and security of women and children and the state has issued instructions to expedite investigation into cases relating to the matters.
Tripura Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki today stressed on the need for cordial relations with the neighbouring Bangladesh for development of transport routes that would benefit the state as well as the entire north eastern region.
Solanki said a new waterway is being set up between Bangladesh and Tripura to make the state a trade hub. The government is setting up a new river port at Sonamura subdivision of Sipahijala district so that ships can carry goods to Bangladesh via Gomati and Meghna rivers.
The governor said, "The state government has taken various steps to make Tripura a model state and corruption free state. With all hopes, I believe the future of the state is very bright. We should work together and help each other so the state would develop faster."
Apprehending that the Citizenship Bill protests could spill over to Republic Day celebrations, the Assam Police on Saturday took rigorous steps to ensure that no one carried black cloth to official functions.
Massive protests have erupted in the state against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, and black flags are being shown to the ministers and senior BJP leaders wherever they have been going during the last few weeks.
At the central function of the 70th Republic Day held at the Veterinary College Playground here, multi-layered security was put in place in view of presence of VVIPs like the governor and the chief minister.
Metal detectors were installed at all the entry points and each visitor was frisked.
Besides the normal prohibited items, this time the list of banned items had an addition -- black cloth.
"We have been asked to check if anyone carries any black cloth. They are not allowed to carry any black item inside the ground," an Assam Police constable deputed for security checks at one of the gates told PTI.
He pointed to a heap that included handkerchiefs, mufflers, ladies shawls and head bands, seized from the public going inside to attend the function.
When contacted, senior police officials declined to comment if there was any official communication on banning black clothes at the R-Day functions.
On condition of anonymity, a deputy superintendent of police posted in a district of Lower Assam said there was no official communication from the headquarter, but all precautions were being taken.
The celebrations in Assam took place despite a boycott call given by eight militant outfits in the region, including the anti-talk faction of United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) and six outfits of Manipur under the Corcom banner.
Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi in his Republic Day address said the central and state governments are working in unison to find a lasting solution to the illegal infiltration problem.
"A draft NRC has already been published under the direction and monitoring of the Supreme Court and the state administration has worked with sincerity to fulfil the objective," he said.
He also mentioned the Clause VI of the Assam Accord and called it the soul of the pact, adding that the state was committed to securing the political rights of the indigenous people.