EMN
Dimapur, April 14
The joint secretary to the Home Ministry (North East division), Satyendra Garg, was in Medziphema to inspect works in the sub-division’s fruit processing plant. He was on his way from Kohima to Dimapur when he visited the canning plant in Medziphema, under Dimapur district, the Assam Rifles informed in a press release issued through the media on Thursday.
On April 10, Satyendra Garg was received by Brigadier Brijesh Dhiman, commander of the 6th sector Assam Rifles. During the visit, the joint secretary was briefed regarding the functioning of the canning plant, besides the security situation of the area, and recent development “in various under ground groups”(sic).
‘During the visit, the joint secretary was given a traditional welcome by village council members of Medziphema which was followed by a demonstration on the manufacturing process at the canning plant. During the demonstration, he also interacted with the employees of the canning unit, which included four women of the Medziphema village,’ the press release stated.
The central official was ‘highly appreciative of the initiative, the diversification in products and the difference that the facility has made in the lives of employees as well as pineapple growers of the region,’ the establishment said.
The canning plant at Medziphema was established in 2014 keeping in view the abundant growth of pineapples in the area. The project that was created as part of Assam Rifles Civic Action Project during 2013-2014 has been providing a regular source of income for 12 employees from the area and has reenergised the micro-economy of the sub-division, the army stated.
Apart from canning pineapple slices and extracting pineapple juice, the plant also manufactures guava and mango juices to cater for the season when pineapples are not available, it was informed.
