Imphal, Aug 08: After declaring that militant groups which were active in the interior parts of Churachandpur district have been beaten back following Operation All Clear launched by the Indian Army, the Chief of Army Staff, General JJ Singh today inaugurated a model village at Singhat sub-division under Sadhbhavna.

The model village aims to bring modern amenities to the people of the remote region and will include solar lighting system for the roads, a 40 bedded hospital, children park, water harvesting and sewerage scheme amongst other facilities.

Addressing the inaugural function, the Army chief said that development will be possible only when there is peace.



Army chief Gen JJsingh cuts the ribbon to inaugurate the model village at Singhat, CCpur district

Asserting that ensuring peace should be the responsibility of every citizen, General JJ Singh said that after two years, the real fruits of the model village will be realised.

Cultural items staged by different communities greeted the Army chief at Singhat.

To mark the inauguration of the model village, Gen JJ Singh handed over the key of the model village to the chief of Singhat, Haukholian.

The otherwise significant occasion however ended on a disappointing note for the hordes of media persons who were taken upto to Singhat to cover the event, as the Army chief refused to take any queries.

Questions put to the General during a tea break was gently turned down with one word, "Sorry." A number of civic action prgrammes have also been lined up by the Army for Singhat.

Under the projects a four pronged strategy comprising Human Resource Development, Educational Enhancement, Women Empowerment and infrastructure Development has been planned under the project to convert this sub-dividional HQs into a hub of education and development, a PIB (DW) press handout said.

Under the project 80 children from far flung areas close to the IndoMyanmar border will be able to utilize the hostel facilities so as to pursue studies in various schools which otherwise would be an impossible dream for them.

The Army lined up 13 projects costing approximately Rs 2.78 crore for execution in three phases commencing from the financial year 2005-06.Eight projects under Phase I have been completed and was handed over by the Chief of the Army Staff, Gen JJ Singh to the villagers.

The project includes separate hostels for Boys and Girls (80 children), Library cum Recreation Centre, Vocational Training Centre, Traditonal Gate, Tree Plantation, Solar Street Lights, Renovation of existing Government School and Children's Park.

The projects planned in phase II includes Renovation of Community Hall, Water Supply and Harvesting Scheme, Additional accommodation in hostel complex, Construction of a Bus Stand while the Phase III for the financial year 2007-08) comprises of Stadium cum Sports Complex, Improvement of internal roads and Construction of Shopping Complex.

The Army chief who arrived on a two day visit to the North East region also carried out a detailed review of the operational situation in the region, said PIB (Defence Wing) in a statement.

The Army chief visited Imphal today, where he interacted with officers and jawans and lauded their efforts in keeping militancy under check, said the statement.

During his intereactions with the officers and jawans, the Army chief stressed on the importane of people friendly operations and civic action programmes to help the local populace.

Comment