Imphal: BJP national president JP Nadda Friday said that India has become a strong nation, its border well protected and government policies reaching every individual.
Nadda who arrived here yesterday had a series of meetings ahead of the Manipur elections. He interacted with sportspersons, ex-servicemen, visited village campaigns, attended Constitution day observation.
Nadda condemned the attack on a convoy of Assam rifles which led to the death of five security personnel and two family members of the CO at Churachandpur on November 13. He said the sacrifices of the security personnel will not go in vain. It was an act of cowardice to attack the security personnel, he said.
Addressing a function of ex-servicemen he said all those attending the function had worked in difficult times at various places, defending the nation and the border. Our country always remembers the service of the security personnel, he said.
In Manipur, it is considered a proud movement to serve in the army. Practically every family has an army in Manipur. There had been two Lt General from Manipur, many army men from Manipur are highly decorated with various awards. There has been a change in the defence sector after the Narendra Modi government was formed, he claimed.
He said PM Modi had stated that we will talk eye to eye not by holding down our head or eye. Airstrikes, surgical strikes done by the military have proved the statement of the PM, he said. Nadda said Himachal Pradesh, his home state, has special ties with troops. Earlier, if there were attacks on the border, the response was to wait and watch. Now if there is an attack, there is a standing order to fight and kill, no one should wait for an order, he said.
One rank, one pension demand started in 1972 and nobody responded.
Former Finance Minister Chidambaram did not fulfil the demands and the government has sanctioned Rs 42,000 crore to clear all arrears and implement the scheme, Nadda said. Troops had no bulletproof jackets and now PM Modi decided to buy 1.86 lakh bulletproof jackets, 36 Rafale jets, 28 Apache and many other weapons from Israel and other countries.
Previous governments were not able to procure arms without any scandal, he said. Civilian casualties have decreased by 79 per cent and of forces by 23 per cent. The approach earlier was if there is no road there will be no attack and now the government has decided to reach the border within 24 hours. Bridges, roads have been made so that troops can move freely, he said.
During the standoff with China, Indian troops were able to reach within a short notice, he said. In the China border area works are going including sensitive areas. The government is strengthening the Indian army. As announced by PM Modi, the army struck back when attacked, he said.
Nadda later attended a ‘Go to Village’ function at Oinam. He said the Chief Minister, Biren has announced a series of schemes and there is no dearth of people’s welfare programmes. Public welfare schemes linked with people have been made available to the people by organizing such events. People have problems going to offices, he said due to the absence of staff. During the last few days, 37,000 people availed themselves of various government programmes during ‘Go to Village’ events, he said.
Other states should also take up similar programmes so that people can be benefitted, he said. Earlier it was the blockade of delivery and now it is last-mile delivery, he said.
Nadda also interacted with sports personalities of the state. Till 2016 total medal tally was 12 and in Tokyo, 19 medals were achieved. PM Modi met the sports personalities, gave time to all sportspersons, he said.
