CRPF DIG rues insurgency mire in State
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 27 2010: Regretting that people of Manipur had been enduring severe hardships owing to the protracted insurgency problem, DIGP CRPF, Imphal MS Raghava said return of peace in the State is an essential ingredient to propel manipur to the path of development.

Speaking as the chief guest during the inauguration of an inter-community football tournament at Taobam (Irang) village in Tamenglong district today Raghava pointed out that the Central Government has been spending a large amount of money on security-related works in the State such as guarding to various vital installations, operations against insurgents, etc.

CRPF officials present uniforms during the opening ceremony

In case the insurgents return to mainstream of the state and life of people becomes normal then all the security related expenditures can be utilised for development work of the State and its people, observed the DIGP, who also handed over a cheque worth Rs 90,000 to chairman of Taobam Youth Club for organising the tournament.

The tournament is being sponsored by the 69 Bn CRPF, Khongsang under the Military Civic Action 2009-2010 .

Exuding confidence that organizing such tournament would facilitate development of friendship and harmony amongst different communities of the region, the chief guest also noted that it will be a good way to distract the youths from taking up anti-social activities in the area.

After his speech MS Raghava released a dove as a sign to formally open the tournament with a match between defending champions Taobam Soccer Club, Irang and the Puiluan Youth Club.

The inaugural function was also graced by the presence of Commandants of CRPF units namely UB Mishra of 69 Battalion, SL Sengupta of 86 Battalion, Rajesh Dakarwal of 109 Battalion, Harjender Singh of 143 Battalion and KL Lamba of 172 Battalion.

The tournament is the third of its kind and 14 teams from different villages of the area are taking part in the present edition.

A cash prize of Rs.10,000 with trophy will be awarded to the champion team while Rs.7000 with trophy and sum of Rs.5000 with trophy will be given away to the runners-up and third position winners.

Apart from these a cash prize of Rs.5000 each will be awarded to the Best player, Best Goal keeper and highest goal scorer.

The DIGP (CRPF) also gave away a set of uniform consisting of T-shirt and sports-pants to 210 players of the 14 participating teams.

Commandant of the host battalion UB Mishra said the cost of the sports uniforms gifted to the players is Rs.75,000 while organizational fund for the tournament stands at Rs.90,000 .