Defence Minister concludes NE tour
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 19 2011:
Union Defence Minister AK Antony today visited Leimakhong Military Station on his last leg to Northeast tour and held interactions with jawans and officials of the Army.
The Defence Minister accompanied by Chief of Army Staff, Gen VK Singh, Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar, Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Bikram Singh, 3 Corps Commander, Lt Gen NK Singh and Sitanshu Kar, ADG (M&C) of MoD arrived around 12.45 pm at Tulihal airport by a special Indian Air force flight and proceeded directly to the Army station by chopper.
The visit was part of his two days visit to NE to review security arrangements and progress of infrastructure development for the Defence forces.
The minister was briefed by the GOC, Major Gen DS Hooda of the Red Shield Division there.
The minister appreciated the progress on various Defence infrastructure and security arrangements made by the Red Shield Division in the state of Manipur and lauded the efforts of all troops in maintaining the lowest state of violence in Manipur in the last few decades, a statement of the PIB (Defence Wing) Imphal said.
He also appreciated the projects initiated by the Red Shield Division for the people in the remote areas of Manipur, the statement added.
The PRO (Defence) Col Ajay Chowdhry stated that the minister visited 'DISHA' the boys hostel created by Red Shield Division for the unprivileged children.
There he gifted a 46" LCD TV to the hostel and complimented the COAS, Gen VK Singh for his vision and GOC 57 Mtn Div for constructing and running the hostel impeccably.
The minister had lunch with troops of the Red Shield Division in Leimakhong where he interacted very closely with the soldiers and enquired about their well being and what he could do for them as the Defence Minister.
The minister expressed his appreciation by complimenting all ranks for their efforts in making the visit a success.
The minister left Imphal for New Delhi around 2.15 pm concluding his two days visit to the NE states.