Arunachal Pradesh governor Brig (Retd) B D Mishra on Thursday chaired a high-level security meeting with chief minister Pema Khandu and Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Anil Chauhan at Raj Bhawan in Itanagar.
During the meeting, they reviewed the defence and security apparatuses, coordination amongst the forces and the defence-related infrastructure and communication necessities in the state.
The governor said that national interest and providing security to the last person in the remotest part of the state have always been and would remain the top priority of the state government.
He advised for more interactions and meetings between the defence and civil administrations to further strengthen these priorities.
Mishra also emphasised on the removal of any bottlenecks in building better coordination, particularly in sharing of information on the matters of defence of our borders.
The governor said Indian Armed Forces are second to none in their fighting calibre, both in terms of men and machine.
“With better relationships with the local populace, which is the ‘second line of defence’, we will surely defend our borders,” the governor remarked.
Appreciating the contribution of the Indian Armed Forces in the state’s socio-economic activities, he thanked the Indian Army for developing enormous goodwill among the people of Arunachal Pradesh.
The governor further suggested the Army Commander help the local economy by procuring perishable goods, such as vegetables and fruits from local farmers.
“Such gestures will not only support the villagers in their economic activities but also, arrest the migration from border areas to towns. It will also give a thrust to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call of ‘Vocal for Local’,” he said.
Chief Minister Khandu while participating in the discussion appreciated the goodwill of the troops of Indian Defence Forces safeguarding the frontiers and at the same time generating bonhomie with local communities.
He also shared with the Eastern Army Commander his interactions during his district tours with defence personnel posted in the remote and high altitude posts.
Earlier, the Eastern Army Commander briefed the governor and chief minister on the ground situation and preparedness of defence forces for any eventuality in the Northeast region.
He acknowledged the goodwill of the people of Arunachal for the Indian Army and the security forces.
General Officer Commanding 3 Corps Lt Gen R P, Kalita, security advisor to the Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Maj General S C Mohanty, Inspector General of Police (Law & Order) Chukhu Apa among others attended the meeting.