Our Correspondent
Imphal, Dec. 16 (EMN): Manipur on Thursday joined the rest of the country in paying tributes to the martyrs, who laid down their lives for the nation during the Indo-Pakistan war in 1971, on Vijay Diwas.
The state chief minister, N Biren Singh and deputy chief minister, Y Joykumar Singh attended the state-level observation at the Banquet Hall of 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles in Imphal.
Addressing the function, Chief Minister Biren said that every citizen of the country should contribute and support towards making a strong and united India. He said that any external threat can be warded off if the country is united.
Maintaining that the world has recognised the potential and capabilities of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said that the country’s international and diplomatic relations with different countries have improved a lot during the last few years.
“We have extended support to more than 100 countries in terms of supplying Covid-19 vaccines, medical items and logistics etc. in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
At Atma Nirbhar Bharat, he felt that building advanced fighter jets like Tejas for the Indian Air Force will strengthen the movement to create a self-reliant India.
Recalling the courage and valour of thousands of soldiers, who defeated Pakistan in less than 13 days in the 1971 War, he urged the underground outfits to come to the negotiating table. He would extend the needful to bring a solution, he added.
In his speech, Deputy CM Joykumar said that concerted threats to the country from different sides were neutralised up to a large extent due to the victory of the war. On this day in 1971, General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, along with around 98,000 troops surrendered to the Indian Army, he added.
