Manipur: Maj Gen Handa takes charge as GOC

Imphal, July 2: Maj Gen TS Handa, SM, today started discharging his duties as the GOC of the 57 Mountain Division, also known as Red Shield.

The handing over of charge was done yesterday at the Military headquarters, Leimakhong. He took charge from Major General EJ Kochekkan, SM, VSM, the PIB(Defence Wing) today said.

Maj Gen Kochekkan relinquished the command of the division after a very eventful tenure. He was successful in overseeing ongoing counter insurgency operations in West Manipur and South Assam, Defence Wing said.

The general officer also projected the humane face of the army and made all-out efforts to reach out to the people of Manipur. He was instrumental in getting a large number of meaningful Military Civic Action Projects sanctioned and executed in the most far flung areas of Manipur.

A large number of villages in remote areas, which have functional schools, computer centers and games kits gifted to them, stand as testimony to his concern for the people of the state. Incidentally, this was General Kochekkan's second innings in Manipur as he had earlier commanded 9 Sector Assam Rifles when it was located at Kangla Fort.

Major General Tejinder Singh Handa, the new General Officer Commanding is an alumni of National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and was commissioned into 4th Battalion, the parachute Regiment.

He is a soldier with very high professional credentials who has held crucial staff and instructional appointments in the army. The General officer also has experience of handling counter insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir. He was earlier posted at Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army).

UNI