Rich tributes paid on Khongjom Day
CM for public assent on 6th pay arrear
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 23 2010: Rich tributes were paid today to the Manipuri soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the sake of safeguarding the independence of Manipur on the occasion of Khongjom Day today.

The battle of Khongjom was fought between the Manipuri soldiers and the British troops on this day in 1891 .

Governor Gurbachan Jagat and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh led the Council of Ministers, Government officials and the public in offering floral tributes first at the Khongjom War Memorial complex and afterward at the statue of Paona Brajabashi, the chief commander of the Manipuri forces, located at the foothills of Kheba Ching.

Contingent of Manipur Rifles paying the gun salute to the Khongjom martyrs

At both the occasions, a contingent of Manipur Rifles presented guard of honour and general salute to the martyrs.

All those who were present also observed a two minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed souls.

Later on, the Governor and the Chief Minister led the other dignitaries and family members of the martyrs in offering Tarpan at Khongjom river amid rendering of Sanskirtan.

After all these rituals, a newly construction Sanglen of the Sanskirtan was unveiled within the memorial complex and it was followed by the main observance function with Governor Gurbachan Jagat and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh as chief guest and president respectively.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the public are the supreme authority of any State and the MLAs and the Government employees are only the public servant.

Reiterating that the Government is not in a position to entertain the demand of the employees for payment of 6th Pay along with the arrears as the financial position of the State is not sound, the Chief Minister observed spending the plan amount of the State in paying the due arrear for four years of the employees would cause a lot of problem.

So, without the consent of the people, the Government would not be able to accept the demand of the employees.

However, if the public feel that the plan amount can be given away, then the Government will not delay in fulfilling the demand of the employees, he added.

The Chief Minister further observed that the agitation of the employees against the Government is akin to agitating against the public.

While talking of their rights, the employees should also understand their corresponding responsibilities and duties.

So the agitating employees should call off their ongoing cease work strike at once.

In connection with the Government efforts of clearing Phumdis from the Loktak lake, the Chief Minister said that after the Planning Commission sanctioned an amount of Rs 400 crores for the purpose, the State Government has given the necessary compensation to the owners of the Athaphums (artificially grown Phumdis) and the LDA has set the motion of removing the Phumdis from the lake.

So the Government would not tolerate the obstruction being caused by some fishermen who seem to have been instigated to inflate the number of actual Phumdis and their owners.

The Chief Minister also reiterated that the ADC Act had been amended suitably, but if it is still necessary to be amended then the same could be done over a 100 times after the election.

So, imposition of economic blockade or calling general strike , thereby causing suffering to the people is not right.

Whether it is the cease work strike of the employees or the undue pressure for rectification of the ADC Act, there would be no change in the stand of the Government, the Chief Minister stated firmly.

On the importance of Khongjom Day, the Chief Minister said the observance reminds us of the valour and patriotism of our forefathers who did not even hesitate from sacrificing their lives for the sake of motherland.

The present generation should try to emulate their forefathers.

The Chief Minister further said that though Manipur was an independent kingdom, today it is an indispensable part of India.

So, all of us should think about the integrity of Manipur and India.

Earlier, addressing the gathering as chief guest of the observance, Governor Gurbachan Jagat said that the manner in which the Manipuri soldiers fought valiantly against the mighty British forces 119 years back has shown that there is nothing more importance than the freedom.

The brave Manipuri soldiers even laid down their lives fighting for the independence of Manipur.

As disunity among the Manipuri princes of that time had led to the Khongjom war and the subsequent lost of independence of an erstwhile independent kingdom, we should always remember that there can be success only when we are united but defeat when we are divided, the Governor said.

He further said that observance of Khongjom War also brought alive the struggle of Rani Lashmibai and thousand of other freedom fighters who relentlessly waged war against the British since 1857 for the regaining the lost independence.

We should also pay homage to all these brave warriors and freedom fighters on this occasion.

India is today an independent country and it is making strides in different fields.

Yet there is still the need to strengthen the position of India and lead the country in the path of development.

All of us work together for achieving this goal.

This would be the fitting tribute that we can pay to our brave forefathers.

In continuation of the observance, Drama unit artistes of DIPR presented 'Khongjom Lan', a stage play based on the events of Khongjom battle.

Khongjom Day had also been observed by the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee and the Nongchup Haram Khorjei Lup.