Know about Territorial Army that averted energy crisis in Manipur

Imphal: In the violence hit Manipur, Territorial Army managed three vital oil installations, considered the energy lifeline for the state, and thus averted a major energy crisis there. The three vital oil installations, which Territorial Army took under its management are Manipur, are Imphal Aviation Fueling Station.

The Army said that with the assistance of the battalion, the depot is functioning efficiently with more than 400 tank trucks dispatched to various petrol pumps across Manipur, Manipur Police, Army and Assam Rifles units. The battalion also aided in the proper functioning of Sekmai LPG Bottling Plant, which is 26 km from Imphal. Approximately 8,000-10,000 cylinders are being dispatched daily from this plant.

About Army Service Corps Battalion Marketing (Territorial Army)

The Government of India, in the year 1983, raised the 414 Army Service Corps Battalion Marketing (Territorial Army) to handle internal and external emergencies. The battalion is affiliated to the Marketing Division and has over 100 employees of Indian Oil.

These employees are trained by the Indian Army in collaboration with Indian Oil to handle oil installation (POL/LPG/Aviation) emergencies independently. They are also trained in the operation and periodic assessment of oil locations across the country.

About Territorial Army

Territorial Army was raised by the Britishers in 1920 through Indian Territorial Act of 1920 and it was org into two wings namely – 'The Auxiliary Force' for Europeans & Anglo-Indians, and 'The Indian Territorial Force' for Indian Volunteers. After Independence Territorial Army Act was passed in 1948 and the Territorial Army was formally inaugurated by the first Indian Governor General Shri C Rajagopalachari on 09 Oct 1949. This date is being celebrated as Prime Minister's TA Day Parade every year.

The TA units were actively involved in 1962, 1965 and 1971 operations. The "Terriers" have also taken part in OP-PAWAN in Srilanka, OP RAKSHAK in Punjab & J&K, OP RHINO and OP BAJRANG in North East in a most active manner. Departmental units came to the aid of the civil authorities during Industrial unrest and natural calamities, most famous being earthquake in Latoor (Maharastra), Uttarkashi in Garhwal Himalaya and the Super Cyclone in Orissa.

The Ecological units have arrested man made environmental degradation by planting 2.5 crore trees over 20,000 hectare of land in Mussoori Hills & Pithoragarh (UP), Bikaner & Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) and ravines of Chambal in Madhya Pradesh.

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