Imphal, August 13: Stressing on the importance of unity amongst the people, Chief Minister O Ibobi today said that the territory of Manipur and the freedom of the people can be safe guarded only when the people learn to live in unity.

Speaking at the Patriots' Day function at BT Park today, the Chief Minister said that disunity amongst the people will only add to the advantage of external and unfriendly forces.

Recalling the political situation and the Palace intrigues in 1891, which paved the way for the British to invade Manipur, the Chief Minister said that the lack of unity amongst the people and those in positions of power gifted away the independence of Manipur to the British.

It is therefore important for all to ensure that such a condition is not recreated again, observed the Chief Minister.

The people should come forward to pay respect to the brave sons of the soil who died fighting the British force, said the Chief Minister and added that people of different communities should learn a lesson from the incident and come together to ensure that divisive tendencies are not given any room to bloom.

Unity is the only answer to protect the territory of Manipur, said the Chief Minister and urged all the different organisations to shed divisive tendencies and work for the betterment of all.

Agriculture Minister Ph Parijat who attended the function as president said that though Manipur is a small place, it is like India, which is home to a number of different communities.

The real challenge before the people are the instigations from outside forces to disintegrate Manipur, said the Minister and added that if the agenda of the outside forces are allowed to materialise, the only losers will be the people.

The bitter fruits of disunity during the period of 1891 continue to haunt the psyche of the people, said Parijat and urged the people not to forget the lesson.

The function of the day started from the morning with the paying of floral tributes at Hicham Yaichampat and at the memorial site of Thangal General at Palace Gate.

Before the main function at BT Park was held, floral tributes were paid at Kangla.

The Patriots' Day was also observed in other parts of the State paying homage to those martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the Independence war of 1891 against the British.

At Senapati district, the Patriots' Day function was held at Thangal General Ecological Park, Mayangkhang with Deputy Commissioner of the district Dr Prem Singh and president of Thangal Naga Union Khangba Anth as chief guest and president respectively.

Offering of floral tributes, gun salute and rendering of devotional songs of various communities are the main highlights of the function.

In his address, Dr Prem said noted that besides paying homage to the patriots, we should also emulate the ideals and follow their footsteps.

At the Patriots' Day observance function held at Chandel district, SDO G Budhachandra Sharma led the people as chief guest in paying floral tributes to the martyrs who have laid down their lives for the cause of the motherland.

A contingent of the 8 Manipur Rifles stationed at Leikhun offered gun salute and observed two minute silence as mark of respect to the martyrs at the occasion.

Top civil and police officials and village chiefs were also among those who were present at the occasion.

At Thoubal district, the main observance function was held in the office complex of DC Thoubal with DC P Vaiphei as chief guest and SP Thoubal NK Ujjwal as president.

Besides offering floral tributes to the martyrs devotional songs of various communities were also sung at the occasion.

At Bishnupur, the district administration organised the Patriots' Day observance function at the ground of DCs Secretariat.

DC Bishnupur Norbert Disinang led the people in offering floral tributes to the martyrs.

SP Bishnupur, Army officials, employees of Parishad, Municipality, and many public leaders attended the function.

At Moreh, Meitei Council Moreh, Kha Nongpok Apunba Nupi Lup, Moreh and AMSU, Chandel district Committee jointly observed the Patriots' Day at Kondong Lairembi Haraobung, Moreh wherein nearly 500 people attended the programme.

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Imphal Union organised the 'Patriots' Day' observance function with Lecturer, Imphal College, Ng Gopaldutta Singh as president, Chief Librarian, RIMS DrNGiridhan as chief guest and Branch Manager Co-operative Bank Ch Birchandra Singh and Senior worker ABVP Y Tomba Singh as guests of honour.

Huyen Lallong Manipur Thang-Ta Cultural Association, Irilbung, observed the Patriots' Day and paid homage to the martyrs during a function at its auditorium.

Youth Welfare Organisation Sinyjamei Thokchom, Leikai, Imphal also celebrated the Patriots' day at the premises of the club today.

Janata Dal United, Manipur State Unit, Khuyathong Bazar also observed Patriots� Day today at its office in which State Returning Officer Bhuban Singh presided the function.