Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 11:
An investiture ceremony of AR personnel who were awarded the Director General Assam Rifles Commendation cards was held at headquarters 9 Sector AR at Keithelmanbi today.
During the ceremony presided by IG AR (South) Maj Gen BK Chengapa, 37 AR personnel including officers were conferred discs/medals and commendation cards.
Speaking at the occasion, BK Chengapa said that the Assam Rifles have been making all efforts to maintain peace in the North Eastern States including Manipur.
In the coming years too, the Assam Rifles will strive hard to uphold its epithets of "Friends of the Hill People" and "Custodian of the North East", he assured.
Stating that it has been three years since the IG AR (South) was established, he informed that Assam Rifles may be mordenised soon in view of the evolving challenges.
He also congratulated all the officers and personnel honoured with medals.
Later interacting with the media, Maj Gen Chengapa asserted that out of about 1000 square kilometres of Somtal area under occupation of the UNLF for the last 10 years, almost half the area has been reclaimed by the security forces.
After the UNLF cadres were driven away from Khengjoi and L Bongjol, the security forces in their counter insurgency operations launched since last year, have been able to advance up to Sehlon ridge, he said.
With the Somtal area cleared off UG elements, the Assam Rifles have started taking up development programmes in the area, particularly transport infrastructure.
At present, the Joupi-Hengkot-Old Somtal road is being improvised.
On the other hand, roads from Khengjoi to L Bongjol are being cleared with the troops keeping vigil all along, Chengapa informed.
So far road length of 57 kms have been developed.
For development of road network in Somtal, the Assam Rifles has also approached the State Government, he said adding that the villagers are being provided ration by the army.
Commander of 9 Sector AR Brig PK Kayastha gave welcome speech as well as vote of thanks in today's investiture ceremony.