Imphal, July 02: After assuming charge as General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 57 Mountain Division (Red Shield) Maj Gen Tejinder Singh Handa set off on a two day tour to familiarize with troop commanders under his operational jurisdiction in West Manipur and south Assam today.

Maj Gen Handa took over as the new GOC from Major General EJ Kochekkan at an impressive ceremony held at Leimakhong army Hqs yesterday.

His posting as GOC 57 Mountain Division comes against the break drop of renewed and protracted demand of the people of Manipur, spearheaded by a dozen social organisations, to scrap the infamous Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act that gives extraordinary powers to the Army.

PIB (Defence Wing) PRO Col Rajesh Mishra said the new GOC today embarked on a two day tour partly by chopper and partly by road within his operational jurisdiction in west Manipur including Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts and parts of Chandel district, which borders Myanmar and southern parts of Assam.

The primary objective of the tour is to get a first hand account of the security scenario and to familiarize with the troops, the spokesman said adding that around 15 military battalions including Assam Rifles are operating in his jurisdiction.

Gen Kochekkan, who left the state on Monday , relinquished the command of the division after a very eventful tenure.

He was very successful in overseeing the ongoing counter insurgency operation in west Manipur and south Assam.

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