Imphal, April 23 2010: Manipur today paid rich homage to the heroes of the last war of independence fought between the army of the then princely state Manipur and the mighty British Army at Kheba Hill, Khongjom in Thoubal district on this day in 1891, which the state observes as Khongjom Day every year.

Governor Gurbachan Jagat, Chief Minister O Ibobi led the ministers, MLAs and civil and police officers of the state in paying homage to the martyrs of the erstwhile Manipur kingdom who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Manipur's freedom in the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 .

On arrival of the Governor and the Chief Minister at the Khongjom War Memorial Complex at 9 am, floral tributes were offered by all the dignitaries at the Khongjom War Memorial and Paona Brajabasi Memorial sites.

A ceremonial offering of tarpon (offering flowers in the river) was also held on the bank of the Khongjom river which runs beside the Memorial.

Thousands of people also took part in the offering of floral tributes and tarpon ceremony throughout the day.

Speaking at a mammoth public meeting held at the Khongjom War auditorium, Governor Gurbachan Jagat recalled the unconquerable spirit and patriotism of the martyrs of the Anglo-Manipur war of 1891, stating that it will not only remain a part of our glorious history, but was also a unique example of patriotism in the history of the world. While paying homage to the patriots of Manipur, Governor Gurbachan also remembered innumerable freedom fighters who made the selfless supreme sacrifice for the sake of freedom from the British in different parts of the vast sub-continent.

The Governor, who remarked that freedom should not be misinterpreted in the narrow sense of separatist tendency, also said that any threat or challenge to the freedom of the country and the nation has to be faced collectively and boldly.

On the occasion, he also urged the people to rejuvenate the pledge to preserve and protect the sovereignty, unity, integrity, and independence of the country.

The more meaningful in paying homage to the freedom lovers will be the strengthening of "the very fabric that binds the nation together.

This is the need of the hour, this is what the nation calls for today," the Governor said.

Chief Minister Ibobi, in his address, observed that "We shall be paying real tributes to our brave forefathers, the freedom fighters when we perform our duty to take our state towards development.

We should protect the freedom and sovereignty of the state within the Indian Union" .

He pointed out the issues lying in front of the state and said that the MLAs and the employees are the servants of the people.

As the government has no fund, the demand for revised sixth pay bands of the employees could not be met.

The ceasework strike of the employees despite the government's repeated appeals is anti-people, the Chief Minister said and appealed to the employees to withdraw their ceasework strike.

The Chief Minister strongly criticised the employees of the state government saying that the employees demand only the rights but they do not discharge their duties.

They attend office late and leave early.

He told the huge gathering to go to any government office in Thoubal and the visitors will find no officers attending office at 10 am.

They will turn up to the office at 11.30 or 12 noon and leave at 2 pm.

He also said, if the arrears demanded by the employees are paid out, the annual plan fund of Rs 2600 crore will have to be spent.

Will all development works for over 25 lakh people be sacrificed for the sake of around 70,000 employees? Do the people agree to remain starved for the next one year, the Chief Minister asked drawing huge applause from the audience.

The construction works of various incomplete irrigation projects, capitol project and mini secretariat buildings in the districts headquarter of the state.

The demand of employee is like taking people at ransom.

Government will not go by pressure exerted from any sides.

Speaking on the calling of bandhs, blockades and other agitation, government could not work peacefully for 10 days.

Development activities are hindering by the outnumber agitations.

With regard to the opposition in the conduct of elections to the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), Ibobi said the long delay in the installation of local self government in the hill areas has hindered the development passage in the areas as many flagship programme are to be implemented through the local elected bodies.

In the valley areas such flagship programmes of the Centre are implementing through the local self governments without any problems but in the hill areas many difficulties are facing owing to absent of the local self government, he said reminding that ADCs are the backbone of taking up various developmental and welfare works of the villagers.

Ibobi further maintained that MLAs are the only members of the law making body.

Considering all this factors, government is determined to hold the elections to the ADCs as amendment to any unwanted provision can be made at any time like the amendment of the India Constitution which had amended for 80th times.

He also appealed to withdraw the economic blockade considering the woes facing by the people.

The Khongjom battle was a day-long battle between the mighty British and patriotic Manipuri warriors led by major general Paona Brajabashi.

Alongside Paona, Khumbong Major, Heirang Khongja and Chinglensana many patriotic Manipuris laid down their lives in the battle which also marked the beginning of British rule in Manipur.

The day was observed at many other places organised by different social organisations.

Blood donation camps were held to mark the occasion.

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