Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today lauded the roles of Assam Rifles deployed in various part of the North East India region in their inevitable roles to the restoration of peace and normalcy in the region particularly in the state of Manipur.
Speaking in the first ever ex-servicemen rally organised by the IGAR (S) at Mantripukhri today that the Assam Rifles has acquitted itself well in peace and war and has been responsible for ushering in normalcy in many parts of the North East.
“Manipur too, has been subjected to violent insurgencies for decades, costing thousands of lives and impacting peace and development in the state. Assam Rifles has been involved in intense counter insurgency operations in Manipur and has contributed in a large measure in reducing the violence levels and enabling the Civil Administration to function. Slowly but steadily, the state of Manipur is moving towards peace and prosperity. To this end, the people of Manipur will always remain thankful to the ‘Sentinels of the North East’”, the Chief Minister said.
The CM further lauded the veterans present for their dedication to the Nation and said that the Nation will never forget them. He said that the State Govt will continue to provide different schemes for Assam Rifles veterans and widows.
Director General of Assam Rifles, Lieutenant General HJS Sachdev, AVSM, SM also share the dais with the Chief Minister. The rally saw a mass participation of over 750 AR ESM including a few World War II Veterans, Veer naris, Widows and Children from all the districts of Manipur.
The rally commenced with a welcome song by the children of Carmel Jyoti Children’s Home, an orphan institution that has been adopted by IGAR(S). Lieutenant General HJS Sachdev AVSM, SM, Director General Assam Rifles addressed the rally and said that welfare of veterans and veer naris is a top priority area for Assam Rifles. He said that this rally was organised with an aim of reaching out to the AR ESM fraternity, renewing bonds between serving and retired personnel, felicitating deserving veterans and veer naris and addressing grievances pertaining to pension and other benefits.
On the occasion the veterans and Veer Naris were then guided to various stalls and other facilities established at the venue for their benefit. These included stalls for addressing individual pension grievances, Assam Rifles Ex-servicemen Association (ARESA) recruitment, medical check-up, treatment and medication. There were stalls for getting Aadhar cards and opening bank accounts. The State Govt had also established stalls by Horticulture, Agriculture, Fisheries, Veterinary and Urban Housing departments for informative value.
There were military and ethnic stalls showcasing the history, tradition and culture of Assam Rifles. Performances by cultural troupes showcased the rich cultural heritage of Manipur and a movie on Assam Rifles was screened to conclude the event.
Vandana Sachdev, President Assam Rifles Wives Welfare Association (ARWWA), and other ladies of ARWWA also graced the occasion and interacted with the veer naris, widows and dependants of AR ESM.
The rally was a grand success and brought together the serving and the retired fraternity of Assam Rifles like never before. Each veteran and veer nari present here went away from the rally benefitted and assured that the DGAR and the Manipur Govt care for them genuinely.
