Assam Rifles battalions and the army have been organizing various activities across Nagaland to promote civil and military relations. Following are some reports of their activities conducted in the month of May.
Phek Batallion: Phek Battalion of Assam Rifles organised an interaction programme with Army and Assam Rifles Ex-servicemen on May 15 at Meluri Town, Phek district. A press release by Assam Rifles stated that the village council committee, village secretary, ex- servicemen of Assam Rifle and army and other civil society organisation leaders attended the meeting. During the interaction issues related to facilities to ex-servicemen re-employment opportunity, government and private sector and various government schemes for ex-servicemen and their families were discussed.
In a separate programme, Phek Battalion of Assam Rifles conducted a lecture on “Opportunities to Join Army and Assam Rifles” on May 19 for the students of Government High School, Meluri village under Phek district.
A press release by Assam Rifles stated that the lecture included details on various entry schemes to join Army and Assam Rifles as officers, junior commissioned officers and other ranks.
The lecture culminated with a question answer session for the students and teachers of the school. The lecture was attended by 250 Students and 10 teachers of Government High School, Meluri village, stated the release.
Chieswema Battalion: Chieswema Battalion of Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (North) organized an interaction programme at Chizami on May 16.
According to AR PRO, the Interaction was held with village GBs/ VCCs of Chizami Town, Chizami, M/ Khomi, L/ Khomi, U/ Khomi, Enhulumi and Sumi Villages under Chizami Sub Division. A total 13 village GBs/ Councils member attended the programme.
During the meeting issues related to development, health, employment, and wildlife conservation were discussed. All village GBs and Assam Rifles vowed to work together for the betterment and congenial environment.
They were also briefed about upcoming CAPF OORJA U-19 Talent Hunt Football Tournament 2018 Nagaland.
The Battalion also conducted an awareness programme with the theme of “Say No to Drugs and HIV/ AIDS” on May 18 at Government Middle School, Zeizou under Chiephobozou Sub-division.
A press release by Assam Rifles stated that during the programme, a lecture on ill effects of drugs on human body and its negative consequences for individuals and the society was delivered by the medical staff to generate awareness among the school children and teachers.
The release states that 42 children and five teaching staff attended the lecture.
Chieswema Battalion further, conducted an interaction with village GBs on May 31.
A press release from Assam Rifles stated that the interaction was held with village GBs/council members of Chiephobozou, Chiechama and Model Village under Chiephobozou Sub Division.
The release reported that the issue of local concerns about health, sanitation, employment and skill development were also discussed during the meeting. A total of six representatives participated in the interaction.
Kohima Battalion: Kohima Battalion of Assam Rifles organised a poster making competition on the theme HIV & AIDS and Drug Free Nagaland on May 17 at Government High School, Tasazhu, Jotsoma.
A press release by Assam Rifles stated that 53 students participated in the competition and expressed their thoughts on the canvas beautifully.
Capt Aniket of Kohima Battalion also interacted with the children and encouraged them to spread the message of HIV & AIDS and drug free Nagaland and help in eradicating this disease from the state.
Wokha Battalion: Wokha Battalion of Assam Rifles organised a “lecture on opportunities to join Indian Army/Assam Rifles” on May 17 at Chukitong Baptist Mission School, Chukitong.
A release by Assam Rifles stated that the aim of the lecture was to create awareness amongst the students and youth in remotely located areas of the district regarding the illustrious career in Army, Assam Rifles and other security forces.
It stated that the students were also provided guidance on how to prepare for the competitive exam to Join Army and Assam Rifles. A total of fifty five students participated in the programme, informed the release.
In a separate programme, Wokha Battalion of Assam Rifles organised a free medical camp on May 17 at Mekukla and nearby villages.
A press release by Assam Rifles stated that assistance was also provided by district administration for smooth conduct of the camp.
Assam Rifles informed that free medicines were provided and people were also educated on timely vaccination, personal hygiene and sanitation and AIDS awareness through a small lecture cum workshop on health and hygiene. Altogether 68 people were examined during the medical camp.
Kiphire Battalion: Kiphire Battalion of Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (North) organised a Drawing Competition on the theme “HIV/ AIDS” at Agape High School, Kiphire on May 29.
According to a press release from Assam Rifles the aim of the compitition was to create awaraness about HIV/ AIDS. The competition was organised for students of the school wherein Capt. Vignesh V, RMO addressed the students and staff before the event. A total of 30 students participated in the competition which culminated with a prize distribution for the best three drawings and then an informal interaction.
Army: As a mark of respect to all retired armed forces personnel and also as part of an outreach campaign of the Indian Army during the “Year of the Disabled Soldier in the Line of Duty: 2018” an ex-Servicemen interaction was organized at Prasidhan Hall, Mokokchung, for ex-serviceman of Mokokchung and Longleng districts of Nagaland on May 17.
According to a press release from PRO (Defence), around 168 ex-servicemen and their families attended the function. Sachin Jaiswal, Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung, was the chief guest for the event. A number of senior officers of the Army, District Commissioner and Zila Sainik Welfare Officer (ZSWO) of Mokokchung were also present.
Veterans of all the three services of the armed forces were apprised about the various welfare schemes for veterans initiated by the Central and State governments. Various issues related to regularization of pension and resolution of pension anomalies were explained, and grievances addressed, by a team from Jorhat Sub Area. Latest provisions of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and issue of new ECHS Card were also explained. ZSWO Mokokchung was also extremely forthcoming in assisting ex-servicemen in resolution of their problems.
The focus of interaction with ex-servicemen (especially disabled veterans) was redressal of their grievances and resolution of pension anomalies. Some disabled Veterans and veer naris also attended the rally and were felicitated by the Army authorities.
Empowerment of veterans has always been the focus of the Army. Towards this end, the efforts put up by Jorhat Sub Area and the Zila Sainik Welfare Officer Mokokchung during the above interaction were appreciated by all.