General Officer Commanding Gajraj Corps meets CM Sonowal at his office

Tezpur: Lt Gen Manoj Pande, AVSM, VSM, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Gajraj Corps, called on the Chief Minister, Sarbanda Sonowal at his office on Wednesday. The GOC discussed with him internal security and disaster management, besides conveying to him the work being carried out by the Army in the field of women empowerment, youth development, upliftment of standard of living of people residing in remote areas of Assam. As Chairman of the Operational Group, he apprised the Honorable Chief Minister about the relentless Counter Insurgency and Counter-Terrorism operations being carried out and successful stabilization of the Internal Security situation in the state.

The GOC informed the Chief Minister that the flood situation is being continuously monitored and Flood relief Columns are on standby to react to any emerging situation. In view of ongoing issues of NRC & CAB, the GOC apprised that the situation is stable due to precautionary actions undertaken by Army.

The GOC assured the Chief Minister that emphasis was given on a synergistic approach between the state government and the Army in maintaining law and order and providing rightful vocations to the Veterans.

It may be mentioned that Gajraj Corps, deployed in Assam, has time and again used its limited resources to bring a ray of hope in the lives of the local residents who have been ravaged by the menace of militancy. One of the important areas where the Gajraj (King Elephant) corps has made considerable efforts is in the area of providing vocational training to the youth in order to make them self-sufficient, socially and economically. In this direction, various vocational training camps are being organized by the Army at various locations in the state, so as to benefit the unemployed youth directly.

The Northeast region has a huge Army presence and the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 has been in force almost across the region. The Act gives unrestricted powers to the Army to carry out operations once an area is declared disturbed. Even a non-commissioned officer has the right to shoot-to-kill based on mere suspicion that it is necessary to do so in order to "maintain public order".

Also Read: Vice Chief of Army Staff visits Army’s Gajraj Corps in Arunachal Pradesh