Imphal, November 20: In commemoration of handing over of the sacred Kangla fort to the people of Manipur after long years of occupation by the Assam Rifles, the 3rd Kangla Day was observed under the aegis of Kangla Fort Board, Manipur today.

The commemorative function held in Kangla Hall was attended by Health and Family Welfare Minister Ph Parijat as chief guest and Member Secretary of Kangla Fort Board P Bharat Singh as president.

The function commenced with opening song presented by the artistes of Shri Shri Bal Mukunda Dev Government Music College and chief guest lighting up the ceremonial lamp.

In his address, Minister Parijat said Kangla is a sacred place for all the ethnic groups of people living in Manipur.

As a result, the people of Manipur have a series of complaints against long years of occupation of Kangla by the British and subsequently by the Assam Rifles.

However, understanding the pulse and sentiment of the people, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh handed over Kangla to the people of Manipur on November 20, 2004.Located right in the heart of the capital city Imphal, Kangla is not just a historical place today, but it is also a place of pride for all the people of Manipur, the Minister said, while hoping that the Arts and Culture Department under whose ambit Kangla has been brought under would steps up its renovation and development work of Kangla.

In his presidential address, P Bharat informed that as part of the renovation work of Kangla being taken up by the Kangla Fort Board, PWD Department has been entrusted with the task of improving the roads running within Kangla along with releasing a sum of Rs 1 crores for the purpose.

Moreover in order to ensure uninterrupted power sully in Kangla, the Board has also approached the Power Department for setting up a substation within the Fort, Bharat said, while disclosing others plans like setting up a parking lot for the conveniences of the visitors.

Clarifying on stationing of IRB post inside the Fort and charging entry free from the visitors, the Member Secretary of the Kangla Board explained that stationing of uniformed personnel within the complex of any historical monument is mandatory from the point of security and protection.

As for the entry fee of Rs 5 being charge from the visitors, he said that the amount is being used for the maintenance and upkeep of Kangla apart from accruing revenue to the Government annually.

As part of the observance function, the chief guest Minister Parijat also released 'Heritage of Kangla', a photo album of the historic fort.

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