Bardang, Feb 27: The Army is not against opening up of the Nathula Pass near the Sino-Indian border in Sikkim but have advocated that adequate security arrangements be put in place.
Talking to mediapersons here after a function to felicitate winners of the Eastern Command Adventure Cup, Major General Avadesh Prakash said, ''We are all working towards one goal. The opening up of Nathula is expected to bring about economic benefits to the region and the Army will be in the best position to help out in that.''
However, he said the Army had some security concerns that had been forwarded to the government in a report. ''We only need to take certain steps to take care of the security concern. Why should we oppose Nathula's opening?'' Major General Prakash said to a question.
He said clearance to start work on infrastructre for Nathula would shortly come and work on it start within a few months.
Major General Avadesh Prakash replaced Major General Deepak Anand as the GoC of 17th Mountain Division, in charge of Sikkim, this January. Bureau Report