Imphal: Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh today attended the 1st Raising Day Celebration commemorating 134 years of the establishment of the Prisons and Correctional Department, Manipur, at the Manipur Central Prison, Imphal.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the day marked a historic milestone as the Department celebrated its first-ever Raising Day.
Appreciating the Department, Khemchand Singh emphasised that a person kept behind bars should not be considered a convict unless proven guilty as per the law. He said prisons should not be seen only as places of confinement, but should also function as institutions for moral correction, reformation and rehabilitation of inmates.
The Chief Minister further said that during his interaction with senior officials of the Department, he was informed that the Department is functioning with a shortage of manpower. In this regard, he suggested filling up the vacant posts through the Die-in-Harness Scheme or through direct recruitment, as appropriate.
He also assured that the Government will extend all possible support for upgrading and modernising the prison infrastructure to meet present-day standards.
Speaking on the occasion, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said the first Raising Day celebration of the Prisons and Correctional Services Department is a historic achievement for the Department.
He said it was unfortunate that the Golden Jubilee of the Department could not be celebrated earlier as it had not been given due recognition. He noted that after getting recognition, the Department has now been able to organise the celebration.
The Home Minister further said every department is equally important in serving the citizens and in the functioning of the Government. He said the Government is working to improve the overall condition of prisons in the State. He also appreciated the officers and staff of the Department for discharging their duties with dedication.
Govindas Konthoujam further expressed satisfaction that the Prisons and Correctional Services Department is among the essential departments of the State Government.
During the programme, the Chief Minister decorated S.K. Bhadrika, Superintendent, Manipur Central Jail, Imphal, with a medal for his exemplary service. Bhadrika had been awarded the President’s Correctional Service Medal for Distinguished Service on the occasion of Independence Day, 2024.
Prizes were also distributed to the winners of the 5 km run organised by the Department this morning as part of the celebration.
The programme was attended by Director General of Police (DGP), Nagaland, Rupin Sharma; DGP (Prisons), Manipur, Arvind Kumar; Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), I.K. Muivah and other senior officials of the Prisons and Correctional Department, among others.
