Armed forces tackled insurgencies, calamities in Manipur: CM

Armed forces have always come to the rescue of people during emergency situations - be it insurgency or natural calamities, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said Saturday.

The CM appreciated the paramilitary forces for their relief work during the recent floods in the state.

"The military men have tackled insurgency and calamities in Manipur, time and again. Several people trapped during floods in July were rescued by the armed forces," Singh said here at a programme organized to mark the second anniversary of the 'surgical strike'.

The state has produced many Army officers over the years, the CM said.

"We have given two Lieutenant Generals to the Army. Every Manipuri is proud of them," he said.

Singh asserted that India has always advocated for discussions and dialogue before resorting to force.

"If the country's patience is tested, it would be forced to show its power and capacity to the world," he said, referring to the Uri attacks on September 18, 2016.

Major General KP Singh, the head of the Assam Rifles in the state, recounted the events that led to the surgical strikes in 2016.

He acknowledged the contribution made by Manipuri soldiers in "nation building".

"Pakistan has been continuously trying to engage in proxy wars against the country, but we will not allow them to have their way," he added.

India carried out 'surgical strikes' on September 29, 2016, on multiple terror launch pads across the Line of Control in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The strikes came 11 days after 19 unarmed Indian soldiers were killed in terrorist attack in Uri, near the Line of Control.