4 Corps GOC calls on Governor Brig (Retd) Dr B D Mishra, CM Pema Khandu

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: Outgoing General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Tezpur-based 4 Corps Lt Gen G S Sangha along with Lt Gen Manoj C Pande, GoC designate on Friday called on Arunachal Pradesh Governor Brig (Retd) Dr B D Mishra at Raj Bhawan here and discussed about the troops’ morale and battle worthiness on the international border of the state and maintaining the security and territorial integrity of the nation.

GoC designate of 4 Corps Lt Gen Manoj Pande accompanied Lt Gen Sangha, a communiqué informed.

The governor appreciated the role of the GoC and his troops in reaching out to the people of Arunachal Pradesh and assisting them in their daily life in addition to helping them as when need arises in the villages along the line of actual control.

Citing the good work of Sawai Maan Battalion, 17 Rajputana Rifles (Raj Rif) in Gelemo Village in Upper Subansiri district of the state, Mishra asked the GoCs to convey his appreciation to his troops in general and 17 Raj Rif in particular. “Helping the local people will instil sense of security amongst them and also Army-civil bonhomie,” he said.

Reiterating his appeal to the Army units, Mishra asked the Corps commanders to continue their endeavour in motivating and training the local youth of the state in joining the Indian Army.

The Governor requested the Corps Commander to convey his gratitude to troops and the good wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year 2019 to all the Indian Armed forces, Para Military forces personnel deployed in the state.

Meanwhile GoC of 56 Infantry Division Major General Ajai Verma also called on the governor at Raj Bhavan during the day and briefed him about the ensuing ‘veterans rally’ on January 6 next in its headquarters at Likabali in Lower Siang district.

The governor, while commending the division for conducting the rally said that such programmes connect the veterans in true spirit of solidarity, unity and nationalism.

“The event provides an opportunity to our veterans and veers naris (war widows) of our state to resolve their personal issues and challenges by interacting with the Army welfare organization personnel who attend to their issues during the rally. Apart from its issue based benefits, this rally is also an emotional programme for the participants,” he said.

The governor advised the GoC to conduct the programme in a befitting manner maintaining the appreciated traditions of Indian Army.

Mishra said that the state government would contribute in cash for the rally. He also informed that he had spoken to the Governor of Assam for contributing to the rally to which Prof Jagdish Mukhi has acquiesced.

Lt Gen Sangha and Lt Gen Pande during the day also called on Chief Minister Pema Khandu at his office here.

Lt Gen Sangha had taken over as the general officer commanding (GOC) of the Indian Army’s Frontier Gajraj Corps on 29 December, last year. He would be proceeding to Shimla Army Training Command as Commander on his next assignment.

Lt Gen Sangha informed the chief minister that official formalities are under process for handing over the charges to new incumbent Lt Gen Pande, which would be completed in a few days.

As head of the 4 Corps, Lt Gen Sangha expressed gratitude to the chief minister and the people of Arunachal Pradesh for their support, cooperation, love and respect for the Indian Army serving in difficult terrains of the western districts.

He said the love and respect bestowed by the people eased much of the pains of the soldiers in remote posts thousands of miles away from home, a CMO communiqué informed.

Khandu thanked the outgoing GoC for the support he received in maintaining civil-army relationship during his one year tenure. He especially thanked the Lt Gen for successfully conducting the Maitree-

Diwas in Tawang and West Kameng districts in a never before proportions.

Citing that Maitree Diwas was celebrated for the first time in West Kameng, Lt Gen Sangha suggested making the event at Tawang and West Kameng a regular calendar event.

Khandu welcomed the GoC designate of 4 Corps Lt Gen Pande and expressed hope that the strong bond between the civil administration and the army would continue with renewed zeal during his tenure. He also expressed hope that Lt Gen Pande, with his huge experience and knowledge of the region by virtue of serving at Aalo years ago, would use his position and resources for the welfare of the state’s people as well as strengthen the bond between the people and the army.

Earlier, Lt Gen Pande was serving as the Chief of Staff at Headquarters Southern Command, Pune. Both the Commanders also discussed various pending issues like land use for army use, etc with the Chief Minister, the communiqué added.

Also Read: Arunachal Governor B D Mishra, CM Pema Khandu greet people on Good Governance Day