Economic activities rise significantly in Manipur: Biren

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, October 10, 2019: Manipur has witnessed considerable increase in economic and business activities and rise in number of micro and small enterprises and industries because of improvement in law and order situation in the past few years.

This was stated by Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh on Wednesday at the 70^th Territorial Army Day organised by the state government at 1^st Battalion Manipur Rifles Banquet Hall.

The state now has 13,000 registered micro industries, which is the highest in the entire North East. There has been constant rise in economic and business activities as well because of improvement in law and order situation in the past few years, Biren said.

The chief minister also assured that the state government would extend all support to security forces and agencies to ensure that the security environment in the state continues to improve so that development momentum in the state is maintained.

He said the Territorial Army had unfailingly risen to the challenges whenever it had been called upon to serve the nation. The force continues to provide invaluable support through its commitment, bravery and sacrifice, he added.

Raising of 165^th Infantry Battalion (TA) (Home and Hearth) Assam had given direction and opportunity for gainful employment of the youth of the state and their meaningful participation in the development of the state. Since its deployment in the state in 2007, it had become an inseparable part of the security setup in the state, he said.

The chief minister congratulated the unit on becoming the first Territorial Army Unit to get the prestigious unit appreciation from the Eastern Army Commander.

He observed that celebrating Territorial Army Day is a proud moment to felicitate the ‘Citizens Army’. 165^th Infantry Battalion (TA) (Home and Hearth) Assam is the first and only Territorial Army unit raised purely from the domicile of Manipur. Affiliated to the Assam Regiment, it is the only battalion of the Indian Army with 100 percent domicile of Manipur and hence they truly are ‘The Manipur Terriers’, he added.

Deputy chief minister Y. Joykumar Singh, ministers, MLAs high ranking civil, police, army, paramilitary and Territorial Army officials and personnel and their families also took part at the function.