Territorial Army deployed in Manipur to ensure energy security

May 23, 2023 18 Views No Comment

KOHIMA, MAY 23 (MExN): The Territorial Army was deployed amidst the recent violence in Manipur in order to ensure energy security in the State.

A press release from the PRO (Defence) informed that in wake of the crisis that engulfed Manipur, the employees/ contract workers of Oil Marketing Companies were not able to reach installations due to security constraints or had to be evacuated due to violence. The installations were, therefore, either shut due to non availability of employees or, not fully operational due to shortage of manpower.

This led to the operational necessity of deploying Territorial Army led by Major Vijay Bariwal to manage the three vital Oil installations which were energy life line for Manipur viz. Imphal Aviation Fueling Station, Malom Bulk Oil Depot and Sekmai LPG Bottling Plant.

The battalion was tasked to take control of Oil Installations which were not operational and augment manpower where there is shortage and ensure supplies of essential POL products and refueling of aircrafts. The PRO informed that the battalion reached Imphal within 48 hours of being given orders from different parts of the country and within 12 hours, Malom Depot was made fully operational and Tank Trucks were dispatched, ATF Tankers decanted and several flights both civil and defence refuelled.

As on date, the depot is functioning at the same efficiency level as was existing in days preceding the crisis with more than 400 tank trucks dispatched to various petrol pumps across Manipur, Manipur Police, Army and Assam Rifles units.

The Territorial Army Battalion was tasked to assist in the operations of Sekmai LPG Bottling Plant, 26 km from the Imphal- a task which was done with approximately 8000-10000 cylinders being dispatched daily.

The unit was visited by Lt Gen HS Sahi, AVSM,YSM, SM, General Officer Commanding 3 Corps. He commended the team for the service being rendered by 414 ASC Battalion (Territorial Army).