IMPHAL, Dec 13 ? Attired in traditional mourning dresses, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh led thousands of people, mostly womenfolk, in paying floral tributes to the statues of the brave Manipuri women at the Nupilal Memorial Complex here where a state function was held to mark the 65th observation of the Women?s War Day (Nupilal Day ) on Sunday last.
Floral tributes, exhortation speech, call for peace and demand for withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 from the state marked the observation which was held in memory of those brave women who fought against the British on two occasions in 1904 and 1939 which is known in the history of the state as Women?s War (Nupi Lal).
The Manipur Governor Dr SS Sidhu Singh greeting the people particularly the womenfolk said paying homage to the brave ?Mothers? of Manipur on the unique occasion is his greatest privilege calling upon them to join hands to make Manipur prosperous and peaceful. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said apart from their contributions for reformation of the society, Manipuri women also play vital role in removing social evils.
Manipur Opposition Democratic People?s Alliance leader RK Dorendra in a function said, unique historical episode of Nupi Lal brings back vivid memories of the courage and spirit of patriotism of the Manipuri women.
The titular king of Manipur, Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba, lauding the historical chapter called upon the womenfolk to take revolutionary steps for solving the antisocial activities and menace of HIV/AIDS in the present society. Several women organizations observed the day at the local, district and state levels with various forms of celebrations.