Manipur situation has improved: Maj Gen Punen

Sobhapati Samom

LEIMAKHONG, Feb 21
– Major General Binoy Poonnen, General Officer Commanding of 57 Mountain Division also known as Red Shield Division, has asserted that the situation in Manipur has improved to some extent.

GOC Poonen told The Assam Tribune on the sidelines of the flagging-in function of a 15-day national integration tour of students, at Leimakhong army camp, near Imphal recently, “Even the recent Assembly polls on

January 28 passed off peacefully.”

Army and Assam Rifles troopers in Manipur helped in area domination during the recent election besides the deployment of 350 companies of Central Para-military forces personnel to assist the 25,000 State forces.

General Poonen, however, observed, “Most of the militant groups operating in the State except some valley based groups were having certain agreements or ceasefire with the government.”

Earlier addressing the students, he called upon the younger generations particularly the students to bring back peace and harmony among the masses. He also appealed to them to be a Manipuri first and be proud to be a Manipuri as well.

“You all can be the future leaders of the beautiful State of Manipur, so sit down and analyse the situation besides studying hard,” the GOC said. He observed that the State has been lagging behind in certain development sectors due to insurgency,

unemployment, corruption, etc.

Ten girls and 10 boys belonging to the Meitei, Naga, Kuki and Meitei Pangals along with four teachers took part in the sponsored tour from January 30 to February 12 last when they visited Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Taj Mahal, Ajmer Palace, etc. The team also had an interaction with the President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil.