State Govt observes anti-terrorism day

IMPHAL, May 21: The State Government organised Anti-Terrorism Day at 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles banquet hall today.
Speaking as the chief guest at the event, CAF&PD Minister Karam Shyam said that 28 years ago, today, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was brutally assassinated at Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu leaving many others injured too. The Anti-Terrorism Day is observed so as to spread awareness among the people regarding the threat of terrorism and its negative impact to the people and the society at large, the Minister said.
Everyone care for their lives but a suicide bomber is a scary and dangerous proposition, the Minister said, adding that terrorism is a malady which has gripped the world currently. The Minister further narrated about the Pulwama attack of February 14 which killed 40 CRPF personnel, the attack on a Mosque at New Zealand on March 15 and added that all over the world such acts of terrorism were unitedly condemned and despised. Even the recent attack at three Churches and luxury hotels at Sri Lanka on April 21, was an attack against humanity and showed the devastation and death brought about by terrorism, he added. Karam Shyam further said that the Government alone cannot combat terrorism as it requires awareness among the people as well. He also prayed for the event to spread the message of love, unity and respect for each other to bring about the  eradication of terrorism.
Forest and Environment Minister Th Shyamkumar said that the world is currently in a race for development, but terrorism is a hurdle which aims to subvert development.
All over the world, including India, terrorism has led to the death of thousands and thousands of innocent people and it requires the united effort of all to rid the world of this brutal phenomenon, the Minister added. The participants of the event today also took a pledge led by Karam Shyam.