The main observance was held at Maharaj Gambhir Singh Samadhi complex in Canchipur by the government of Manipur, while the United People’s Front (UPF) observed the day as “National Reconciliation Day”, at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound, Imphal.
TFM Desk
Manipur paid a rich tribute to Maharaj Gambhir Singh on his 187th death anniversary on Saturday. The main observance was held at Maharaj Gambhir Singh Samadhi complex, Canchipur with chief minister N Biren Singh as the chief guest.
The chief minister led ministers, MLAs, MPs, government officials and the general public in offering floral tributes to the memorial and portrait of the late king, who spearheaded the war against Awa (Burmese) to end the Seven Years of Devastation in 1826, a release said.
Later, a contingent of Manipur Rifles offered guard of honour, gun salute and sounded last post as a mark of respect to Maharaj Gambhir Singh, Meidingu Narasingh and all those, who laid down their lives in the war for the motherland.
The chief minister also offered flowers at the statues of Maharaj Gambhir Singh, Meidingu Narasingh and Sana Herachandra. Later, he offered Tarpan and paid obeisance at Dhop Pala, it added.
Speaking to media persons, N Biren Singh said that consultation is on with intellectuals and historians to engrave the history of different Kings of Manipur since 33 AD on the fencing wall of the Samadhi complex.
As of now, the chief minister said, two caretakers have been engaged to look after the complex. However, there is need for a committee to take care of the complex, he observed.
Regarding Dzuko inferno, the chief minister said that the fire has been brought under control in almost all the areas on the Manipur side. Biren also said that he had talked to his Nagaland counterpart Neiphiu Rio regarding reported obstruction by some people in the construction of road to Dzuko by the government of Manipur.
Two base camps have been opened to accommodate firefighters as of now, he said while adding that engineers of Manipur Police Housing Corporation Ltd have been deputed at the area to conduct a survey for the construction of a guest house. Public health engineering minister L Dikho is regularly visiting the area to supervise all the matters related to Dzuko. Officials of tourism and art and culture departments have also been instructed to visit Maopungdong village to inspect whether another guest house can be constructed there, he added.
On the other hand, United People’s Front (UPF) observed the day as “National Reconciliation Day” at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound, Imphal.
Speaking to media persons, UPF president W Second said that idea behind observing the death anniversary of Iningthou Chinglen Nongdrenkhomba is to re-consolidate the different communities, having their own aspiration, of the state and to live unitedly, harmoniously and develop equally.
Recalling the history, Second said that the differences amongst the siblings of the then King led to the Seven Years Devastation. Such pages of history need to be remembered at this crucial point of time, he added.
He also said that there is an apprehension that the idea of Manipur and nationalism of Maharaj Gambhir Singh might be lost. The observance is of much importance to preserve his ideas, he added.