Manipur's Chief Minister Meets Union Defence Minister to Discuss Territorial Army Battalion and Rehabilitation Efforts

Imphal:Manipur Chief MinisterYumnam Khemchand Singhon Monday called on Union Defence MinisterRajnath Singhin New Delhi and urged him to raise a Territorial Army (TA) battalion for the state.According to an official statement issued by the Manipur Chief Minister’s Secretariat, the Defence Minister assured full assistance from the Ministry for any initiative undertaken by the state government. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Deputy Chief MinisterLosii Dikhoof the Naga People’s Front (NPF).This was Singh’s first meeting with the Defence Minister after being sworn in as Manipur’s new BJP Chief Minister on February 4.Later in the day, the Chief Minister met Nitin Nabin, president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), at the party’s national headquarters in New Delhi. He was accompanied by his two Deputy Chief Ministers — Dikho (NPF) andNemcha Kipgen(BJP). Kipgen, who hails from Kangpokpi district, is thefirst womanto hold the post of Deputy Chief Minister in Manipur.During the meeting, Nabin discussed organisational issues relating to the strengthening of the party’s state unit. He also urged the Chief Minister to expedite efforts towards the rehabilitation ofinternally displaced persons(IDPs), assuring all possible support from the party.Singh was elected leader of the BJP Legislature Party in New Delhi on February 3. He is the first Chief Minister from BJP to assume office after Nabin took charge as the party’s national president. Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister also met the party’s National General Secretary, B. L. Santosh.Related