Our Correspondent
IMPHAL, January 12
Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi today stated that Assam Rifles, the oldest paramilitary force in the country, has been instrumental in bringing peace in the entire North East.
Ibobi was speaking during an ex-servicemen rally at the IGAR (South) complex, Mantripukhri here. He hailed the role played by the Assam Rifles in bringing about peace in the region.
He said the force has also been helpful in curbing militancy in Manipur where it has been extending humanitarian assistance to people whenever they face natural calamities like flood and drought-like situation.
The Manipur CM distributed gifts to retired personnel and wives of late jawans of the paramilitary force on the occasion during which PHE Minister I Hemochandra and several Assam Rifles officials were present.
Director General of Assam Rifles, Lt Gen JHS Sachdev also attended the event. He said the Assam Rifles has been relentlessly working in maintaining peace and harmony in the last 181 years in the country and that the force had joined wars on several occasions.
Sachdev said the force has been carrying out counter-insurgency operation in Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. The Director General of the paramilitary force stated that Assam Rifles is indeed ‘friends’ of the people.
Ibobi said that the Assam Rifles has acquitted itself well in peace and war and has been responsible for ushering in normalcy in many parts of the North East. Manipur too, has been subjected to violent insurgency for decades, costing thousands of lives and adversely impacting peace and development. Assam Rifles has contributed in a large measure in reducing the violence levels and enabling the civil administration to function. Assam Rifles also stood by the people in times of natural disaster. The CM lauded the veterans present for their dedication to the Nation and said that the Nation will never forget them. He said that the State Govt will continue to provide different schemes for Assam Rifles veterans and widows.
