Independence Day was celebrated in Manipur on Monday amid tight security deployment in view of the boycott call given by eleven insurgent organisations with the main function being held at the 1st Manipur Rifles parade ground.
Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh, who was the chief guest, took the salute at the parade before hoisting the national flag.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Singh stressed the need for peaceful atmosphere for all round development in the State saying violence would not bring any solution in a democratic country like ours.
While appealing to militants to give up the path of violence, Mr. Singh said that the government was prepared to hold talks for bringing peace in the State and listed the achievements and development programmes taken up during his almost nine-year tenure at the head of the Congress led regime.
Heavy rain and a general strike called by militants had its impact on the crowd which was ‘very thin’ at the function.
All roads wore a deserted look as people preferred to remain indoors.
Official sources said there was heavy deployment of police and para-military forces all over capital complex in view of the boycott call and general strike by seven insurgents organisations who said Manipur had been ‘forcibly merged’ with the union in 1949.
Reports said the day was also celebrated at all district headquarters amidst security deployment. No untoward incident was reported so far.
