Independence day celebtrated amid boycott call by militants

Imphal, Aug 15 (UNI) The 60th anniversary of Independence was today celebrated in Manipur amid tight security in view of the boycott call given by militants.

Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh unfurled the national tricolour at the First Manipur Rifles ground here.

Altogether, eight police personnel of the state were honoured during the observations.

The President's medal for gallantry was awarded to five police personnel of the Manipur Rifles while Manipur Director General of Police Y Joykumar was presented the police medal for distinguished service and Suerintendent of Police P Dhanakumar Singh was conferred with the police medal for meritorious service. Inspector Th Krishnatombi Singh was also honoured with the police medal for meritorious service.

In his address to the gathering, the Chief Minister said both the Centre and the state government had taken up various developmental programmes for the people.

''The country is experiencing an unprecedented economic boom.

There was a time when the government was not able to pay the employees regularly. But now we are taking rapid strides to fulfil our objective of making India a fully developed nation,'' he said.

As part of the developmental projects, National Highway 39, from Maram to Imphal covering about 78 km, will be made four lane, he said.

The Centre would also repair bridges on National Highway 53, the chief minister added.

He appealed to the people to work for peace and development and expressed gratitude for the support given to the government.

Besides, the railway line from Jiribam to Tupul in Manipur might be extended to Moreh, the border town, to improve ties with the neighbouring countries, he added.

Manipur Governor Dr S S Sidhu said, ''India's freedom was not a gift of the Britishers but was attained after sacrificing innumerable lives at the altar of the long freedom struggle.' The older generation had handed over freedom to us and it was our duty to protect it at any cost and under all circumstances he said adding that freedom should not be misinterpreted with the narrow sense of separatism.

''Any challenge to the unity and integrity of the nation has to be faced collectively and boldly. Only then, the celebration of Independence Day will be meaningful,'' he said.

The observations at the Manipur Rifles parade ground were made under tight security as militant organisations of the North Eastern region, including Manipur People's Liberation Front (MPLF), had called a general strike in the region today.

Large numbers of security personnel were deployed at strategic places. The streets were, however, deserted as few people ventured on the roads. No untoward incident was reported so far, police said.

The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) also observed the day at the party office at Imphal. MPCC president Gaikhangam and other Congress leaders attended the function.

UNI