PM meets top commanders at IMA

Tribune News Service & agencies

Dehradun, January 21

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Combined Commanders’ Conference at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun today. The annual conference was held in Dehradun as part of Modi’s wish to organise it outside the national capital.

The Prime Minister along with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and top commanders of the three services met and reportedly took stock of the security challenges before the country. The issues that are likely to have come up for discussion are the surgical strike, situation on the LoC, terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, the internal security situation in the northeast and China.

Modi reached the Jolly Grant airport in Dehadun from Delhi around 9 am. Governor KK Paul received and welcomed him at the airport. Some BJP leaders, including former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, were also there to welcome thim. From, the airport the Prime Minister headed to the IMA.

The Prime Minister laid a wreath at the IMA martyrs’ memorial and later crossed over the Chatwood Square where he was accorded the traditional salute by the three armed forces. He then drove to the Khetrapal Auditorium where he addressed the conference.

Modi also met the family members of the cadets at the Vikram Batra mess. This was the first conference for all the three service chiefs who took over last year. As many as 47 delegates were present. The Prime Minister interacted with the parents of some of the Gentlemen cadets. He later left for Delhi around 4 pm. The entire stretch near the IMA was made a zero traffic zone.

The conference was supposed to be held close to the China border in the northeast late last year but it did not take place.

The conference began with a presentation by Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, who is Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee. His presentation was followed by those by the IAF and Army chiefs.

Unlike previous years, the government did not issue any press release or statement. The Election Commission in an order yesterday had said that the Prime Minister’s official visit shall not be combined with any public meeting, media briefing or interaction, and no press statement released or announcement made in connection with serving soldiers or ex-servicemen, which may effect voters in the five election-bound states, including Uttarakhand.

The Congress had complained to the Commission that the BJP may use the event to influence retired and serving defence personnel to gain an upper hand in the elections.