Arunachal Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) K.T. Parnaik mourns death of two pilots

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) K.T. Parnaik on Friday conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased pilot Lt. Col. V.V.B. Reddy and co-pilot Major Jayanth A. of Army Aviation, who died in the line of duty.

The governor conveyed his condolences through General Officer Commanding (GoC) in chief of Eastern Command Lt. Gen. R.P. Kalita who, called on him at Raj Bhawan. The pilots were killed when a Cheetah helicopter of the Army, on an operational sortie from Missamari in Assam to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, crashed near Mandala in West Kameng district on Thursday morning.

A court of inquiry has been ordered by the Army to ascertain the cause of the accident.

"Their commitment to their duties and supreme sacrifice will be always remembered by the people of the state," Lt. Gen. Parnaik said in his condolence message.

During the meeting with the GoC-in-C, the governor also discussed security and welfare related issues of the state.

Lt. Gen. Parnaik complimented the GOC-in-C for the high operational readiness and morale of the troops deployed on the Line of Actual Control. He also complimented the Eastern Army for maintaining friendly relations with the civil administration and fostering goodwill amongst people residing in the border areas.

The governor also discussed joint efforts of the Army and the state to enable development and consolidation of the border villages, enhancing their livelihood and ensuring security of the borders.

He suggested the GOC for pre-recruitment rallies and motivational camps for the youth of the state in the Agniveer recruitment with special focus in the three troubled districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding. "Such initiatives will give impetus to the efforts of the central and state government in bringing an end to the militancy in the districts," he added.

The governor also suggested for procurement of perishable items requirements of the Army deployed in Arunachal Pradesh, from the local farmers, which will enhance the local economy and also augment the goodwill amongst the people.

Earlier, the GOC, who is the overall head of the Army formation in the eastern region, briefed the governor about the preparedness of the armed forces, an official communiqué informed