Will provide all possible help if need be, top army official

Eastern Army Commander Lt General M M Naravane on Monday met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the state secretariat and assured her of "all possible assistance from the Army" as and when required, a defence official said here.

Apprising the chief minister of the work being done by the Army, Lt Gen Naravane, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Eastern Command, said the force would be of service in the region if the need arises, he maintained.

Monday's interaction was aimed at "deepening civil- military relations, which form the cornerstone of a healthy democracy", the official said.

Banerjee, on her part, lauded the Indian Army's role in nation-building, while emphasizing that the joint endeavour of the army and the state government could ensure the welfare of the country and its people, he added.