Shift unrelated to crisis: LN Singh
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 02 2024: Retired Lieutenant General L Nishikanta Singh, fondly referred to as LN Singh, has said that the move for deployment of two Assam Rifles (AR) battalions from Manipur to Jammu and Kashmir is not a new policy and is unrelated to the ongoing demand for the removal of Assam Rifles from the state.

In an exclusive interview with The People's Chronicle, LN Singh explained that the decision to deploy Assam Rifles to Jammu was made in response to recent terrorist activities in the northern region.

He mentioned that about two years ago, uniformed force was sent from Jammu to Galwan following the conflict between the Indian Army and China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) .

The vacant positions in Jammu were then filled by the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).

However, with recent reports of trained terrorists from Pakistan entering Jammu and carrying out attacks, the government decided to deploy Assam Rifles to replace the CAPF and bolster security in the area.

LN Singh emphasised that the deployment of Assam Rifles to Jammu and Kashmir is not a new development as there are already two to three Assam Rifles battalions stationed in the region.

The latest move is simply part of ongoing efforts to enhance counter-insurgency operations, he maintained and dismissed the notion that the deployment is linked to the public demand for the removal of Assam Rifles from Manipur.

The battalions were sent to Jammu solely due to their expertise in counter-insurgency operations, affirmed the retired general officer, adding that the latest deployment is purely based on operational needs in Jammu and should not be misconstrued as an initiative to withdraw Assam Rifles.

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