Correspondent
IMPHAL, January 25
[dropcap]S[/dropcap]ecurity has been tightening up in and around the Imphal town in view of the 65th Republic Day Celebration which is scheduled to be held here tomorrow.
Frisking and checking of the two wheelers and suspected passer bys by the civil police and commando personnel along with women police have been intensified at the strategic locations across the state capital. Armed women constables of the Central Reserve Police Force were also deployed around 1st MR parade ground and along the Kangla moat line etc.The steps has been taken in view of the boycott call of Republic Day celebrations and a general strike by the Coordination Committee (CorCom) of Manipur based armed groups namely Kangleipak Communist Party,Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup,People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak Party(Pro),Revolutionary People’s Front and United National Liberation Front and five other North East armed groups in the entire region.
The ‘general strike’ on January 26 will begin from 1 am and end at 5 pm and cover all forms of transportation, movement of vehicles, entertainment including cinema and theatre shows and all activities of trade and commerce, according to a ‘solidarity statement’ of the armed groups.However, the media, medical services and religious ceremonies shall be kept outside the purview of the general strike, it added.
Other five armed groups of North East include Meghalaya-based Hynnewtrep Liberation Council, Kamatapur Liberation Organisation operating in Assam andBengal, National Democratic Front of Bodoland of Assam and Tripura-based National Liberation Front of Tripura and Assam based United Liberation Front of Asom.
Meanwhile the state government is preparing to organise the Republic day celebration successfully in the state capital and all districts headquarters of the state tomorrow.The celebration will be held at the well guarded Kangla fort in Imphal where State Governor VK Duggal will took the salute of the march past contingents.Various state government department has also started to erect their respective department gates along the important routes in Imphal this afternoon.
Gallantry awards for police: Seventeen state police belonging to Manipur Police, Indian Reserve Battalion(IRB), Manipur Rifles(MR) and Fire Services will be receiving Police Medal for Gallantry and Meritorious Service on Republic Day celebration function tomorrow.
Among them P Tarunkumar Singh Sub-Inspector (Imphal West), S Ibotombi Singh Sub-Inspector CID (Special Bbranch), N Nungshibabu Singh, Havildar No. 0197012 of 7 IRB, Md. Rajib Khan Sub-Inspector (Imphal East), M Uttam Singh Sub-Inspector (Imphal East), Radhakishor Tongbram, Havildar No. 062007536 of 6 MR, M Roshan Singh Havildar No 022007239 of 7 IRB, O Sanjitkumar Singh, Rifleman No 132001380 of 1st MR and Kh Herojit Singh, Rifleman 15007072 of 5 IRB will be getting Police Medal for Gallantry, according to a list issued by SP/DGCR S Amirlal Sharma.
Personnel who will be receiving Police Medal for Meritorious Service include N Manimohon Singh CO 1st IRB, L Ibotombi Singh,CO, 2nd IRB, Mangkhojang Kipgen Assistant Commandent 4thIRB, Y Indrakumar Singh J.C. No. 298 Subedar 6 IRB, N Sanatomba Singh, J.C. No. 318, Subedar, Manipur Police Training Centre Pangei, N Binoy Singh Inspector Imphal West and L Nabachandra Singh, Havildar No 8403 7th MR while Sub Officer Surchandra Singh Khaidem of Fire Services Department will receive President’s Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service.
