Imphal, August 14: Even as the 12 hour general strike called by militant groups to boycott Independence Day came into force from 1 am in the night, security has been beefed up all over Imphal to neutralise any disruptive activities that the militants may have planned.

Security has been beefed up at Imphal and Greater Imphal areas since early noon today with police, police commandos, IRB, Manipur Rifles and CRPF personnel on security duty round the clock and frisking the passers by at strategic points.

Heavy security arrangements have been taken up at various points identified as sensitive and hyper sensitive.

These include, the roads leading to Raj Bhawan, the load running just behind the Raj Bhawan and its adjoining areas, Keishampat parking point, Keishampat bridge, Uripok traffic point, the high rise buildings located in front of the 1st MR campus, Moirangkhom, the areas adjoining Singh and Co fuel pump, Keishamthong, Thong Nambonbi etc.

The officers put in charge of the overall security arrangements in Imphal and Greater Imphal aieas include SPs and Deputy Commandants, five Addl SPs/DSPs, twelve Inspectors, 40 SIs/ASIs/Jamadars, 30 havildars, 20 women police Constables 10 platoons of the CRPF 28 sections of the IRB/MR and 20 mobile teams.

Fire Brigade personnel have also been put on high alert at the sensitive zones of Imphal as well as around the 1st MR ground to meet any eventualities.

Amid tight security the State Government is set to hold the main function to celebrate Independence Day at the Parade Ground of the 1st MR tomorrow.

The function will kick off at 9 30 am with the Chief Minister as chief guest.

CO of 1st IRB Laxmi Prasad Chettry will be the parade commander where 15 contingents are ex pected to take part in the parade.

Gallantry and police meritorious awards will be awarded to seven persons in connection with Independence Day celebration tomorrow.

The seven who are scheduled to receive the awards include SI K Sanatomba of Imphal West, Head Constable Y Jiringamba of Imphal West, Late N James Singh of Imphal West (Constable number 9401030), Constable A Premjit of Imphal West (number 0101045), Constable Ng Binoy Singh of Imphal East (number 911091), late Inspector M Mani Singh, and Naik 7199 Kharka Bahadur of 7 Bn MR.Meanwhile Governor SS Sidhu has greeted the people on the occasion of Independence Day.

In a message to the people, the Governor said, 'We should bow our heads in homage to all those both known and unknown heroes who made the supreme sacrifice at the altar of freedom struggle and also to renew our pledge to safe guard the hard won freedom at any cost and under any circumstances.

The Governor also stressed on the importance of unity and urged all to remember the meaning and value of unity, which has been taught to us by history.

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