Imphal, January 02: Officers and jawans of the 14 Assam Rifles battalion celebrated its 46th Raising Day on January 1, 2005.The Battalion which has a rich history of valour and courage is presently stationed at Lairouching of Senapati district.

It was raised in 1959 and was deployed in Nagaland for 44 years before coming to Manipur.

The Battalion has the distinction of being awarded with six Ashok Chakras, two Shaurya Chakras, six Sena Medals with many other Gallantry awards, according a PIB (DW) press handout.

Meanwhile, a separate, handout of the PIB informing of the Indian Air Force conducting round the clock succor and relief activities for the tsunami affected people in India and neighboring countries said the new Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi is scheduled to visit the affected areas of Andaman & Nicobar Islands on Jan 4.In last one week, the IAF has airlifted more than 5,000 tones of relief material comprising of food packets, water, blankets, tents, clothing items gen sets & medicines.

Seven IL-76, eight MI-8 helicopters, eight MI-17 helicopters, 15 AN-32s and three AVROs have been operating in the tsunami affected southern India and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

More than 5,000 people have been rescued and airlifted from the tsunami affected areas by IAF units alone.

Apart from this IAF is also assisting in carrying out the survey of damage caused due to the tsunami in all the affected areas.

An IAF team has been airlifted to the Nicobar airbase for the purpose of its reconstruction on 27 Dec 27, 2004 itself.

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