Rajnath hails courage, commitment of AR, army
Source: Chronicle News Service / PIB
Imphal, August 19 2022:
Defence minister Rajnath Singh has commended officers and soldiers of Assam Rifles and Indian army deployed in the state for performing their duty with courage and conviction despite challenges posed by terrain and weather and improving the security situation in Manipur.
The defence minister on Friday visited the Mantripukhri headquarters of Inspector General Assam Rifles (South) and interacted with troops of Red Shield Division and Assam Rifles in the presence of Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande, GOC-in-C Eastern Command Lieutenant General RP Kalita, GOC Spear Corps Lieutenant General RC Tiwari and other senior officers of Army and Assam Rifles.
During the visit, the minister was briefed about the counter-insurgency as well as border management operations along with Indo-Myanmar border to maintain peace and tranquillity in the region.
Addressing the personnel, Rajnath Singh said he will treasure the moment of standing amongst the Indian Army and Assam Rifles troops.
While lauding the contribution of Red Shield Division ever since its raising, be it in the 1971 war, part of Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka or in its present role, he also commended the stellar role of Assam Rifles in the last seven decades and their immense contribution in internal security, securing Indo-Myanmar border and key role in bringing North East into the national mainstream.
"For this reason, you are called 'Friends of the North East People' and 'Sentinels of North East'," he stated.
The defence minister lauded the security personnel for their services and stated that the Indian borders remain protected because of their services.
"I feel very happy, proud and at peace, every time I meet the jawans of our armed forces," Rajnath Singh said.
He added: "What our soldiers are doing is more than just a profession and more than just service".
Rajnath Singh further said that the armed forces of India have only one goal in their minds - protect the country - irrespective of whose government runs the country.
"It doesn't matter whose government runs the country and tries to make it the richest in the world, the role of India's security forces is more important than anything else," Rajnath Singh said.
Rajnath also exhorted the forces to keep the National Flag high through unflinching dedication, asserting that the Nation can achieve absolute potential only when its borders are safe.
More than 1,000 troops of Red Shield Division and Assam Rifles took part in the interaction with the defence minister.
Earlier in the day, Rajnath Singh also held discussions with Manipur chief minister Biren Singh over breakfast at the latter's residence.
On Thursday, Rajnath Singh attended the opening ceremony of the 131st Edition of the Durand Cup 2Q22 Manipur Derby at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium here.
The first such tournament in the state was organised by the Indian Armed Forces and supported by the Government of Manipur.
En-route to Manipur, the defence minister had a brief stopover in Darjeeling district, West Bengal and paid homage to the Armed forces personnel, who have lost their lives in a recent landslide in the Makhuam railway construction site in Noney district and felicitated the Veer Naris (brave women) .
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