Territorial Army to be expanded -- George

Territorial Army to be expanded -- George
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

New Delhi, Oct 9: To relieve the armed forces of excessive stress caused by tackling internal strifes, the `Territorial Army', will be expanded by this year end and empowered with additional responsibilities, Defence Minister George Fernandes said today.

"Regular Army should be allowed to concentrate on their main job. We have to see that the Territorial Army be brought in to deal with the internal law and order situation," Fernandes said addressing an impressive Territorial Army Day parade conducted by 10-marching contingents here.

Fernandes, who reviewed the parade as Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee could not attend on health grounds, said he was only carrying "the Prime Minister's message".

"Concrete steps would be taken," he said and exuded confidence that entire country would stand by the government and support this move.

Later, he told reporters that while "elaborate arrangements" have to be made to equip the 52-year old citizens' voluntary force with responsibility and weapons, no final decision on the strength of the additional force has been worked out. "We have to hold further dialogue," he said.

He maintained that more than the weapons, the Territorial Army would bank on its "commitment to the cause of the nation and the support of well-disciplined countrymen".

"Security environment, as understood today, calls for sincere discipline, but we see it lacking. If we continue to tolerate this our entire debate on national security will be defeated," Fernandes said.

Commanded by Col Abhilash Kaul, 10 contingents of the Territorial Army from regions ranging from Assam to Rajasthan marched past firm and erect showcasing excellent military discipline and dedication.

Significantly, 119 Infantry (T A) Assam was led by Lt David Toshi Jamir, a Naga.

The parade contingents also included three tableaux from Railway Engineer Regiment and the 128 Ecological Battalion, also known as the `Green Brigade'.

The glittering function was marked by the launch of new 132 Infantry Ecological Task Force battalion to work for ecological order of the national capital.

The new unit will take up a five-year project on the barren land of Bhatti area in the South Eastern part of the Aravalli hill ranges along the inter-state boundary of Delhi and Haryana.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Delhi Environment Minister A K Walia, Army Chief General S Padmanabhan, Additional Director General Territorial Army Maj Gen Bhopinder Singh and senior civil and military officials attended the parade.

Dikshit gave a sapling of `Rudraksh' plant to Lt Col N K V Narayanan, the first commander of the new battalion.

Successor to the erstwhile Indian Territorial Force, the Territorial Army at present comprises of Infantry Battalions, and departmental units from Railways, Telecommunication, Indian Oil Corporation and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation.