Army Chief launches model village at Manipur border

Singhat, Aug 9 (UNI) Chief of Army Staff General J J Singh today inaugurated the model village here under Churachandpur district near the Manipur-Myanmar border.

Just 20 km away from the international border and 33 km from Churanchadpur, the village which was the stronghold of the militants had been sanitized by the Army and Assam Rifles.

The Army chief also carried out a detailed review of the operational situation in the north east during his two-day visit.

The Army chief stressed the importance of people friendly operations and civic action programmes to help the local populace.

As a thrust towards Operation Sadhbhavna, Gen Singh inaugurated the Model village at Singhat, Churachandpur, which aims to bring modern amenities to the people in this remote region.

The village boasts of solar lighting for roads, 40 bed hospital, Children's Park, water harvesting and proper sewage facilities, sources said.

With nearly 2500 population comprising of Paite, Simtey, Zou, Vaiphei, Mizo and Nepali, the village is rich in natural resources and has enormous potential for development, Gen Singh added.

On the requests of the local population, the army decided to adopt Thinghat Village and undertake a number of military civic action projects on a three year roll-on development plan.

Besides, Human Resource Development, Educational Enhancement, Women Empowerment and Infrastructure Development has been planned under the project, to convert this sub-divisional Headquarters into a hub of education and development, officials added.

About eighty children from far flung areas, close to the Indo Myanmar border. would be able to utilise the hostel facilities to pursue studies in various schools, Gen Singh stated.

Thirteen projects of Rs 2.78 crore have been planned to be executed in three phases, sources said.

UNI NS PP PDM DS1115