Maoist call for a boycott today failed to evoke any response in Naxal-hit states even as the country celebrated Republic Day with leaders asking rebel groups to shun violence and join the mainstream to ensure enduring peace.
Suspected militants triggered a powerful bomb blast in Manipur’s capital Imphal but no one was injured, police said.
State Governor Gurbachan Jagat unfurled the national flag and took salute at a march past amid tight security.
Chhattisgarh Governor Shekhar Dutt attended the R-Day function in Raipur and asked people to help authorities crush the Naxalite movement which he termed as anti-national.
Mobile phones across Kashmir Valley remained switched off till about noon as service providers shut off links as part of the security drill for the day.
Maoist and rebel calls for boycott of the celebrations did not have any visible impact in states like Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Assam and other north eastern states except Manipur, where normal life was hit in the wake of calls by insurgent outfits like UNLF and RPF.
Jharkhand Governor Syed Ahmed said Naxalism was a major problem in the state’s progress and appealed to the extremists to shun the path of violence.
Assam Governor J B Patnaik sought lasting peace in the insurgency hit state while Arunachal Governor General (retd) J J Singh exhorted the people to openly come out against calls for bandhs for all-round economic development.
In Patna, Governor Devanand Konwar said the Nitish Kumar government decided to have zero tolerance on corruption, saying that disproportionate assets of public servants were being confiscated by way of strict implementation of the law.
Defying the call by Maoists, people in Orissa took part in the celebrations. However, in some areas, Naxalites hoisted black flags.
In Mumbai, Governor K Shakarnarayanan said that despite all-round progress made by the state in the last 50 years, there were areas that needed special attention.
“In order to ensure a more balanced development across the state, I have set up a committee headed by eminent economist Dr Vijay Kelkar to suggest a strategy for reducing regional imbalance and bringing about more balanced development,” he said in a message.
Reports spoke of governors, chief ministers and other leaders attending the R—Day celebrations across the nation.
In Srinagar, Republic Day function was held at the Bakshi stadium where more than 5,000 people attended it braving extreme chilly conditions caused by overnight snowfall.
State Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather unfurled the national flag at the stadium where PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and several other leaders from various parties were present.
In Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, in his R—Day message, said the state was keen to find a solution to the Mullaperiyar dam row through dialogue with Tamil Nadu.
Published - January 26, 2012 02:48 pm IST
