Imphal: Manipur on Friday joined the nation in celebrating the 75th Republic Day, with Governor of Manipur Anusuiya Uikey unfurling the National Flag and taking salute from different march-past contingents at Kangla in Imphal. However, due to the current crisis in the state many schools, organisations did not take part in the celebration.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh along with the Speaker of  Manipur Legislative Assembly, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Legislative Assembly Constituencies, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and Senior Civil and Police Officials also took part in the celebration.

The celebration began with the Governor inspecting the Guard of Honour accorded by a contingent commanded by Gaurav Dogra, an IPS Probationer. Later, Governor  Anusuiya unfurled the Tricolour amidst the playing of the National Anthem and then took salute from 24 march- past contingents including different band contingents, commanded by Commandant of 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles Ksh. Ravikumar Singh. 11 different Cultural Troupes including the Mounted Police and Tableaux of 13 different Departments also took part in marching.

During the celebration at Kangla, officers and personnel of Manipur Police Department were decorated by the Governor with the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service, Police Medal for Gallantry, Police Medal for Meritorious Service, Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation and President’s Civil Defence Medal for Meritorious Service.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh while giving vote of thanks at 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles Parade Ground to the participants of March Past, he said “Every Manipuri has a responsibility towards building a united Bharat.  Everyone in the state should respect the Constitution and to exercise their rights and fulfil their responsibilities to protect the unity of Manipur and unity of India”.

In a republic, the power is in the hands of the people, and the government is formed by the elected representatives of the people, he added, ans said “Under such democratic process, we should respect one another, be secular, and not hinder others in their efforts to develop and preserve their own culture, language, traditions”.

Expressing unhappiness with the present unwanted incidents happening in the State, Biren said that the present issue can be faced only when we stand united. Shri N Biren Singh also expressed gratitude to the Central government for conferring the Padmashri to Shri Machihan Sasa, (Nungpi Pottery) and further congratulated the artist.

After the celebration at Kangla, Governor Anusuiya Uikey along with Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh, Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly, Ministers and MLAs visited Rani Gaidinliu Park at Mantripukhri in Imphal and paid homage to the statue of the Freedom Fighter Rani Gaidinliu on her 109th Birth Anniversary. In all the district headquarters, Republic Day was also organized by the district administrations.