As observed in other parts of the country, VijayDiwas was observed here to pay tribute to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the nation during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 .Manipur Government organised a grand function to mark the day at the 1st Manipur Rifles Banquet hall, where Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar attended as the chief guest and president respectively. Vijay Diwas is commemorated every December 16 across the country to mark its military victory over Pakistan during the Indo-Pak war1971. Among the Indian soldiers killed in the war, five were from Manipur. The Indo-Pak war 1971 and Kargil war 1999 not only showed the courage, sacrifice of the Indian Army but also reminds us that we should always be ready to fight back against the challenges to the unity and sovereignty of the country. Indian soldiers continue to safeguard the unity and sovereignty of country from the internal and external forces to disintegrate, Chief Minister Ibobi said in his speech on the occasion. “No one can challenge the integrity of the nation. We should prepare ourselves to meet this challenge,” Chief
Minister Ibobi said. Ibobi said that the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 and several other challenges faced by our people have clearly shown that Indians are always ready to fight for the integrity. “It is our bounden duty to honour all the martyrs”, he said. Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Hill Area committee chairman Dr Chaltonlian Amo, Chief Secretary, civil and police officials and several ex-servicemen also attended the function.