I-Day celebrated in Manipur amid shutdown call by militants

CM Okram Ibobi Singh hoisted the tricolour at the first Manipur Rifles Parade ground in the morning

Manipur celebrated Independence Day amid tight security here and all nine district headquarters of the state on Monday, amid call for "total shutdown" and boycott of the celebrations by several outlawed militant organisations.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh hoisted the tricolour at the first Manipur Rifles Parade ground in the morning and received salute from the contingents, a government release said.

He presented medals for gallantry and distinguished services to seven police officers at the function attended by ministers, parliamentary secretaries, legislators and senior administrative officials and officers of the Army and police, it said.

The President's Police Medal for distinguished service was awarded to Adhikarimayum Ghanashyam Sharma, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Imphal West district, the release added.

Security has been beefed up across the state in view of a total shutdown and boycott of I-Day celebrations called by several outlawed militant organisations, police said.

Except for two crude bomb blasts in Imphal West district, there was no other untoward incident on Monday, they said, adding public vehicles largely remained off roads and business establishments downed shutters in view of the shutdown.