Imphal, April 19: The 10th Battalion of Assam Rifles of 26 Sector under HQ IGAR (South) has been making a conscious effort towards development of Sajik Tampak area since its deployment three years back.

According to a statement issued by PRO Assam Rifles, till early 2005, Sajik Tampak area was one of the most underprivileged and neglected area in terms of development, infrastructure and communication network.

However, after induction of 10 Assam Rifles in mid-2005, Sajik valley and its surrounding areas has witnessed remarkable development in all fields.

Due to dedicated and relentless efforts of this battalion in eradicating militancy from the area, the black top road from Chakpikarong to Sajik Tampak and kutcha road from Sajik Tampak to Khormunlen under PMGSY and numerous NREGS projects are under implementation.

Further, the work for installation of BSNL mobile towers at four different locations, which will cover 90 percent of the area under its AOR will also benefit the residents of Sajik area.

Besides, the MCA projects under 10 Assam Rifles have provided solar street light systems to various villages thus lighting up lives of the locals.

Since the Sajik Tampak still lacks basic medical facilities from the local Government authority, the Battalion has extended 24-hour medical facilities to the locals and also regularly organise special medical camps including veterinary camps for all the villages under its AOR in which free medicines are provided to the villagers.

It is also worth mentioning that since the induction of this Battalion in Sajik Tampak, the maternal and infant mortality rate among the local population has gone down approximately 70 percent in 2005 to 5/6 percent in 2008, the PRO claimed.

The PRO further said that with the full support of 26 Sector under HQ IGAR (South), the 10 Assam Rifles has developed football and volleyball grounds in many villages along with distributing sports materials to help the youths in honing their sporting talent.

The Battalion has also helped in levelling the ground o various villages for construction of community halls and churches.

In addition to various developmental works, the Battalion has enabled the locals to move freely and helped them to be a part of the mainstream society, the PRO said, while pointing out that the fact that the local participation in the General Election, 2007 was above 90 percent is proof of absolute normalcy in the Sajik Tampak area.

To upkeep the motto of Assam Rifles, 'Friends of the hill people', the 10 Assam Rifles would continue to help the people of the North East in development and eradication of militancy from the region, the PRO added.

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