ITANAGAR, 18 Sep: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi on Thursday stressed the need for expediting land acquisition in Arunachal Pradesh to ensure timely execution of essential defence infrastructure projects.
Gen Dwivedi, who called on Governor KT Parnaik at the Raj Bhavan here, during his meeting, also called for the establishment of Zilla Sainik Boards in the state to provide vital support to ex-servicemen and their families.
The COAS expressed concern over the relatively low participation of Arunachali youths in the armed forces. He called for more awareness and guidance to encourage young people from the state to pursue careers in defence services, a Raj Bhavan statement said.
Responding to the COAS’s concerns, Parnaik emphasised a collaborative, people-centric approach to implementing the Vibrant Village Programme.
He said that the success of the initiative hinges on the joint efforts of the government, local communities, and security forces.
The governor lauded the Army’s engagement with border residents, observing that its strong presence and community connect can transform remote villages into centres of growth, opportunity, and national pride.
He also conveyed appreciation for the Army units serving in the state, highlighting their contributions through pre-recruitment training for local youths, support for admission to Sainik Schools, and Sadbhavana projects that nurture discipline and self-reliance.
Parnaik commended the Army’s professionalism, operational preparedness, and humanitarian initiatives, noting its consistent support to the people of the state alongside its core security duties. (Raj Bhavan, with PTI input)
