IMPHAL, April 20 - Hectic preparations are on to welcome President of India Pranab Mukherjee who will be arriving here on a visit to Manipur on April 23.
He will attend events marking the historic Khongjom Day observation in Thoubal, the native place of State Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, on Saturday next.
The State will be observing its annual event � Khongjom Day on April 23 to honour the brave warriors of Manipur led by Major Paona Brajabashi, who made the supreme sacrifice in the Khongjom War, which was one of the fiercest battles fought during the 1891 Anglo-Manipur War.
The Manipur kingdom lost its sovereignty after the Khongjom War fought against the British on April 23. It is also known as Manipur�s last war of independence.
Soon after his arrival at Imphal International Airport on Saturday, the President is scheduled to fly in a chopper to Khongjom, the historic place located about 35 kms from Imphal. There he will inaugurate the Khongjom War memorial monument-cum-tourist centre at Kheba hillock besides paying floral tributes to the statue of Major Paona Brajabashi. Soon after, he is expected to leave for New Delhi, sources said.
Meanwhile, Okram Ibobi Singh on Wednesday inaugurated a police station and a power substation at Khongjom and a district Sports Complex at Wangjing Kodompokpi, Wangjing, another town in Thoubal district.
Addressing a public meeting organised in connection with the Sports Complex inauguration at Kodompokpi ground, Ibobi informed that the State Government is taking up various development programmes, both in the hills and valley for the welfare of the public.
Stating that his government is committed in taking up developmental works in the hills on a priority basis, he said the construction works of mini sports complexes in the hill districts are going on in full swing.
The sub-station which was inaugurated on Wednesday was set up with the funding of about Rs 480 lakh from DoNER Ministry.
A security meeting with top civil, army, paramilitary and police officials was held here recently to work out intensified security arrangements for the official visit of President Pranab Mukherjee, sources added.
