TEZPUR, May 1 � Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today laid stress on development of infrastructure in the north-eastern states having international borders.
Expressing total displeasure with the infrastructure development works carried out by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), he said that from now on he would look into the matter personally.
Regarding China�s reaction to his visit to Arunachal Pradesh, Parrikar said the neighbouring country has right to react.
The Defence Minister who was briefing the media at Solmara Army cantonment near here, in reply to a query on the Nepal quake, said that India is always ready to help the neighbouring country. �Accordingly we have already sent sufficient food materials to the country,� he said.
Earlier, Parrikar who arrived here this afternoon on a two-day visit to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, was received at the Tezpur Air Force Station by Chief of the Army Staff Gen Dalbir Singh, GOC-in-C Eastern Command Lt Gen MMS Rai and other senior officials of the Army and the Air Force.
The minister was escorted along with Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju to Solmara Military Station where he interacted with the troops over a cup of tea. He appreciated the high standard of military discipline and preparedness of the troops and their excellent performance in the backdrop of difficult terrain and challenging environment in which they are operating.
Parrikar exhorted the troops to continue with the same zeal and sense of pride and honour showing due respect to human rights.
Thereafter, the Defence Minister arrived at the Gajraj Corps HQ and reviewed the overall security situation in the State. He was briefed by Gajraj Corps Commander Lt Gen Sarath Chand on the dynamic counter-insurgency grid and the synergy achieved with the civil administration, State police and other paramilitary forces in restoring normalcy in the State, by carrying out relentless operations against the perpetrators of terror.
Parrikar expressed satisfaction with the results achieved and complimented the high level of camaraderie and synergy existing among the Army and the civil agencies in the State. He said he would visit the troops deployed in the frontier areas and interact with them to get first-hand inputs of the ground situation.
The minister will also pay homage at the Tawang War Memorial to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives while guarding the frozen frontiers.
