IMPHAL, Dec 10: HQ 57 Mountain Division or the ‘RED SHIELD DIVISION’ as it is commonly referred to; was raised on 10 Dec 1969 at Masimpur village in the Cachar district of South Assam to conduct Counter Insurgency Operations in the Mizo Hills. The motif of the formation sign was carefully chosen to represent the role and the area in which the Division was to operate. It conveys the message : ‘‘WE ARE FOR YOU’’ and was inspired by the leather shield used by the Mizo warriors in ancient times. The scarlet shield has 18 golden discs that represent the 18 clans of the Mizos. The shield represents aggressiveness because of its spiked nature and the spears convey speed and unwavering determination: hence the nickname “The Red Shield Division’’.
Since its inception the Red Shield Division has created history and has carved a niche for itself bringing glory and valour to the Indian Army, through its intrepid actions in the various operations, such as ‘OP CACTUS LILY’ or the battle for the Liberation Of Bangladesh – 1971. Lance Naik Albert Ekka of 14 GUARDS won the rare accolade of being decorated with the only Param Vir Chakra (posthumous) of the 1971 war in the Eastern Theatre. OP – PAWAN where the division was inducted to augment the Indian Peace Keeping Force. The Division took over the responsibility of Batticoloa from 36 Infantry Division and during its deployment in Sri Lanka the Division held effective control over the area under its command till the ceasefire in Sep 1988. The Division operated in Assam from 1990 – 1992 in OP RHINO. The Division was mobilised and inducted into Manipur following the Kuki – Naga clashes in October 1992 for OP HIFAZAT.
The Red Shield Division with its rich tradition of courage and valour has a rich haul of gallantry awards to its credit over the decades – which include : PVC – 01 (posthumous), UYSM – 01, YSM – 03, SC -35, SM – 164, AVSM -01, VSM – 25, COAS Commendation Card – 361, VCOAS Commendation Card -01, Mention-in-Despatches – 14 and GOC – in – C’s Commendation Cards – 403.
The Division celebrated its 41st Rasising Day with great restraint and sobriety by beginning the day with Thanks Giving to the Almighty for the Blessings over the years, this was followed by a Sainik Sammelan to rededicate the Divisions resolve to its commitment to the nation. Thereafter Maj Gen D S Hooda, VSM**, GOC 57 Mountain Division inaugurated a major traffic roundel in Leimakhong dedicated to Lance Naik Albert Ekka. This was then followed by a lunch hosted by the Division in honour of a large cross section of society to include the HE the Governor of Manipur, the Royal Family, the Political leadership, members of the Executive/Judiciary, Intelligensia and the Media.
Gen Hooda reiterated the stand of the Division and stated that the Division is for the people of Manipur and would continue to strive towards achieving its role of bringing peace, prosperity and harmony to the State in the days ahead, a statement release said.
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