Manipur celebrates Statehood Day

Imphal, Jan 21 (DIPR): Manipur celebrated the 49th Statehood Day with active participation of 20 march past contingents, at the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles parade ground, today.
Speaking as the chief guest at the event, Chief Minister N Biren announced that the State Cabinet has approved an amount of Rs 46 crore for setting up a heritage park at Keibul Lamjao, Bishnupur district.
The park will have traditional huts of all the recognised tribes of the State, Biren said, adding that once the park is ready, the main venue of Manipur Sangai Festival might be shifted to the original birth place of Sangai even though important stalls will be opened in Imphal.
He also announced that the Government would distribute boots and belts for VDF and Home Guards personnel soon.
Some corporate houses have shown willingness to provide funds for the items under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, he added.
He then asserted that no security personnel should misbehave with the common people as it will tarnish the image of the whole Police Department.
Biren further mentioned about the Government’s efforts to make Manipur a self reliant State in food production.
He said that the State Government has been focusing on sectors like agriculture, horticulture, fishery etc and as a result, the State was able to receive the Krishi Karman Award 2017-18 for the best performing State in total food grain production Category-III.
At the same time, fish production has also considerably increased during the past few years, he added.
Remarking that education is another priority sector of the State Government, Chief Minister N Biren said that 60 schools (one each in every Assembly Constituency) have been selected as model schools under School Fagathansi Mission.
Free education will be provided from Pre-Nursery to Class X or XII from this academic session in most of these schools, he assured.
Two progressive farmers namely, Yengkhom Bishworjit Singh of Kakching Panji Leikai and Thingbaijam Johnny Chanu of Lamboikhul Awang Leikai, who recently received Union Agriculture Minister's Krishi Karman Award, were rewarded a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh each by the State Government at the function.
Presentation of a colourful march past comprising of contingents from Manipur Rifles, Civil Police, Home Guards, VDF, Traffic Police, CID Technical (Bomb Squad) and dog squad, was the main attraction of the celebration. The march past was commanded by Assistant Director of Manipur Police Training College, Sarangthem Asana.
Ministers, MLAs, top civil and police officers also attended the function.