Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh attended Partition Horror Remembrance Day in Imphal and appealed for peace and coexistence.
Imphal, August 14: Governor of Manipur Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Friday led the state-level observance of Partition Horrors Remembrance Day at the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) in Imphal, with Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, ministers, a Rajya Sabha MP, MLAs, senior government officials and other distinguished guests attending the programme.
The observance was organised to pay homage to those who lost their lives and suffered displacement and hardship during the Partition of 1947. A two-minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to those affected by the division, while the short film A New Postbox: Tales from the Partition was also screened.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Bhalla described the Partition of 1947 as more than a division of territory, calling it a human tragedy marked by loss, suffering and displacement.
He stated that the tragedy must be remembered not only for the immense human cost it caused but also for the lessons it holds for subsequent generations.
The Governor noted that the Government of India declared August 14 as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day in 2021 to preserve the experiences of those who lost their lives, were displaced from their homes or endured severe hardship during the period.
He said the observance was intended to ensure that the human cost of division, displacement and violence remains part of the country's collective memory and is understood by future generations.
Bhalla also drew attention to the relevance of the message in a diverse state such as Manipur, where different communities, traditions and identities form part of the social fabric. He stressed that differences should not become grounds for mistrust or hostility.
The Governor maintained that a meaningful tribute to those who suffered during Partition would be to build a society based on mutual respect, human dignity, dialogue and a shared sense of belonging.
Glimpses from the observance of Partition Horrors Remembrance Day at the Palace Auditorium, MSFDS, Palace Compound, in the august presence of Hon’ble Governor Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla Ji, Hon’ble First Lady Smt. Jyoti Bhalla Ji, Hon’ble Rajya Sabha MP, Hon’ble Ministers, Hon’ble… pic.twitter.com/q7YSfCcUyW
— Khemchand Yumnam (@YKhemchandSingh) August 14, 2026
Chief Minister Khemchand Singh, while recalling the hardships caused by Partition, noted that the division resulted in countless deaths and widespread damage to property. He also spoke of the resilience of those who survived and reached India, rebuilding their lives and beginning anew despite the circumstances.
Referring to A New Postbox: Tales from the Partition, which was screened during the programme, the Chief Minister recalled the documentary's message that people's eyes are on their faces rather than at the back of their heads. He used the observation to stress the importance of looking towards the future instead of remaining focused on the past.
The Chief Minister also connected the remembrance of Partition with the experiences of people displaced by the ongoing crisis in Manipur.
He was deeply moved by concerns raised by a group of internally displaced persons from an area bordering Churachandpur district. The IDPs told him that they could return to their homes only during the daytime because they lacked the confidence to stay there overnight. They also spoke about being deprived of opportunities to earn their livelihoods.
Khemchand observed that the pain experienced by people affected by any crisis is ultimately the same. He appealed to people across Manipur to promote peaceful and harmonious coexistence.
The programme was organised by the Department of Arts and Culture, Government of Manipur. Minister for Art & Culture and Tourism Khuraijam Loken Singh, Minister for Home Govindas Konthoujam Singh, a Rajya Sabha MP, MLAs, Chief Secretary Dr Puneet Kumar Goel, Additional Chief Secretary Anurag Bajpai, Secretary of Arts and Culture Naorem Praveen Singh, Director of Transport Khumanthem Daina Devi, senior officials and staff of the Department of Arts and Culture, and students were among those present.
The observance brought together remembrance of the human suffering caused by the 1947 Partition with appeals for dialogue, dignity and peaceful coexistence, while also drawing attention to the continuing experiences of displacement and insecurity in Manipur.
