Royal Pony Guard take part in full dress rehearsal

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 24 : A full dress rehearsal of the 76th Republic Day celebration was held at Kangla this morning under tight security measures and the number of contingents participating in the rehearsal was double of last year’s contingents.
A total of 60 contingents took part in the full dress rehearsal.
For the first time in the State, Ex-Servicemen and Royal Pony Guard contingents were part of the full dress rehearsal.
Other contingents which took part in the full dress rehearsal included Sikh Regiment, Assam Rifles, CRPF, BSF, Manipur Rifles, IRB, Civil Police (male & female), Traffic Police, Forest Guard, NCC (boys and girls) and eight band parties of both State and Central forces.
11 contingents of cultural troupes, one contingent of Social Welfare (ASHA workers), one contingent of ICDS (school), one contingent of National Sport University, one contingent of Anouba Mangal Trust Centre (social) too participated in the full dress rehearsal.
The ADC to the Governor took guard of honour commanded by Jay Barange IPS (Probation) in front of Kangla Uttra Shanglen.
The parade started from 1st Manipur Rifles ground and SP (Sports) Laishram Sarita  Devi commanded the full dress rehearsal as parade commander.
Coming out from 1st Manipur Rifle northern gate, the contingents marched through the main gate of Raj Bhavan and proceeded toward Kangla western gate and further toward LIC crossing.
From LIC crossing, the parade marched towards North AOC and went inside the Kangla Fort from the northern gate.
On reaching the saluting base in front of Kangla Uttra Shanglen, the ADC to the Governor took salutes of the marching contingents.
The contingents then exited through the Kangla southern gate, proceeded toward the Chief Minister’s Bungalow and concluded at the 1st Manipur Rifles parade ground.
Vehicles were diverted from the route taken by the parade contingents  during the full dress rehearsal and it led to traffic congestion at some places.