Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen K.T. Parnaik (Retd) on Friday, 25 September stressed the strategic importance of the state and called for deepened civil-military coordination to bolster security and development along India's sensitive northeastern frontier. The remarks came during a meeting at Lok Bhavan in Itanagar with the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 101 Area, Lt Gen Mohit Waghwa.

Key Focus of the Meeting

According to a Lok Bhavan official, the discussion centred on three core areas: logistics and administrative support, civil-military coordination, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) mechanisms across the Northeast. Governor Parnaik emphasised that close cooperation among the Armed Forces, the state government, and the civil administration was indispensable for effective disaster response and the delivery of public welfare initiatives.

He also called for improvements to transit routes, communication networks, and administrative infrastructure to support troop movement and border-area logistics — a priority in a state that shares a 1,129-km international boundary with China.

Commendation for 101 Area's Disaster Response

Governor Parnaik commended 101 Area, headquartered in Shillong, for its role in ensuring seamless combat logistics and operational coordination across the region. He specifically appreciated the Command's prompt and professional response during natural disasters, including floods and landslides, where timely rescue, relief, and rehabilitation have provided critical support to affected communities in some of India's most remote and difficult terrain.

Welfare of Veterans and Veer Naris

A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to the welfare of ex-servicemen and Veer Naris — war widows. The Governor urged the GOC to strengthen welfare measures, with particular focus on improving access to the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and the empanelment of state healthcare institutions under the scheme.

He also highlighted the need to facilitate access to resettlement and skill development initiatives, educational assistance for children of ex-servicemen, pension-related services, and reemployment of veterans. Governor Parnaik recommended regular awareness camps, medical outreach activities in remote areas, and closer coordination with the Rajya Sainik Board and Zila Sainik Boards to ensure every eligible veteran and family member avails entitled benefits.

Army's Commitment to Arunachal Pradesh

Responding to the Governor's priorities, Lt Gen Waghwa assured that the Indian Army remains fully committed to maintaining close coordination and extending all possible support for the security, development, and well-being of the people of Arunachal Pradesh. The assurance reflects the Army's longstanding operational and humanitarian footprint in a state that remains central to India's northeastern defence calculus.

With infrastructure development and border logistics emerging as strategic imperatives, the outcomes of this meeting are expected to feed into broader planning exercises for the region in the months ahead.