Manipur is a mini-India; Ibobi calls for harmony

Imphal | Aug 16 : "Manipur is a mini-India. Various tribes and communities have co-existed peacefully for a long, long time. The campaign by some elements against the non-Manipuris (people from mainland India) in the state is very unfortunate," rued chief minister O.Ibobi Singh while delivering the Independence Day speech at First Manipur Rifles Ground in Imphal this morning. The chief minister was pointing to the Revolutionary Peoples Front (RPF)'s campaign against the non-Manipuris in the state.
O.Ibobi Singh said that such mindset of communalism should not be harboured by anybody in the state.
The chief minister then emphasized the need to have strong relationship and unity between the hills and the valley people. He said that unless the people of the hills and the valley join hands together, there cannot be encouraging future. Ibobi said that it was time for both the people of the valley and the hills to understand together.
On the Autonomous District Council (ADC) impasse, O. Ibobi Singh said assured that all the needed powers and facilities will be given to the ADCs. "We will give powers which will not be less than those Autonomous District Councils in the rest of the North Eastern states," assured the Manipur chief minister in his Independence Day speech. Ibobi said that the committee formed headed by the state chief secretary is studying minutely on the matter in order to give teeth to the ADCs.
On the issue of census operation overlapping issue, the chief minister said that the committee under the chairmanship of the chief secretary whose members include the Principal Secretary (Hills), the Commissioners of Revenue and Home departments are examining the matter and the reports are almost ready. The chief minister also touched on various areas with regard to developmental fronts in the state in his speech.

Imphal deserted on I-Day

Imphal, August 16 (NNN): Amid boycott called by the various underground organisations in Manipur, Independence Day was celebrated in Manipur in many parts. As of every year the empty streets in the state capital Imphal greeted the Independence Day in Imphal this morning. No shops and other activities were carried out due to the bandh and boycott called by various militant groups in Manipur. Amid this situation, the main function was celebrated at First Manipur Rifles Ground in Imphal with chief minister O.Ibobi Singh hoisting the Tricolour this morning.
Inspite of the militant groups under the umbrella organisation of the Manipur Peoples Liberation Front (MPLF) boycotting the celebrations of the Independence Day celebrations in Manipur while the KYKL has called 12 hours Manipur bandh on the day against the celebrations of the Independence Day, a sizeable number of general public, ministers, MLAs, top bureaucrats of the state, military officials and others participated in the Independence Day celebration at the First Manipur Rifles Ground. Meanwhile, the bandh in Manipur particularly in the valley districts was almost total with the streets looking deserted. No shops were seen opened. Children and few people were seen loitering in the streets. In general, it was a quiet Imphal today.