Imphal, June 18: The outgoing director-general of Assam Rifles, Lt Gen. Bhopinder Singh, has described the passing of the Assam Rifles Bill in Parliament as the “biggest achievement” of his career as chief of the paramilitary force.

He is at the fag end of his tenure, which has lasted more than two years. Gen. Singh will retire from service on June 30. His troops gave him a farewell in Manipur at a function in the auditorium of the inspector-general (south) of Assam Rifles at Mantripukhri in Imphal yesterday.

“My biggest achievement as director-general of the paramilitary force has been getting the Assam Rifles Bill passed by Parliament in the last session. I am happy with my service in the region,” he said on the sidelines of the function.

With the passage of the bill, the paramilitary force is set to become a full-fledged army unit and is likely to be deployed in other parts of the country as well. With more than 45 battalions, the force has a total strength of 65,000.

Addressing officers and jawans at the Assam Rifles headquarters, Gen. Singh urged them to continue the “good work” done by them for the country and its people.

On the progress made by the army court of inquiry into the Thangjam Manroama case, he said he did not wish to comment. It would be “sub-judice” as the matter is pending in court, he added.

A high-powered committee was set up by the Centre to review the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, following an uproar over the custody killing of Manorama after her alleged rape by troops of the paramilitary force. The case is now pending in the high court.

He denied allegations that the Assam Rifles stage-managed fake surrender ceremonies in Imphal.

“The high court has now taken up the case. The Assam Rifles will fully co-operate with the court in this regard,” he said. Parents of some of the youths, said to be surrendered militants, moved court, alleging that those paraded as surrendered rebels were innocent.

Gen. Singh, along with his wife Winnie Singh, inaugurated an Assam Rifles project called Matrigram. This is aimed at providing basic amenities to veterans of the force at its tactical headquarters in Imphal.

Under the project, a canteen, medical facilities and a place of residence during transit for former Assam Rifles personnel and their families would be available here.

It will also serve as an information centre for jobs, schemes and recruitment rallies.

The project also includes a drop-in centre for HIV-affected patients. The centre will provide diagnostic and counselling facilities.

The centre enjoys the services of a project manager, a medical officer, a counsellor, a peer educator and a caretaker. It also has the facilities of outpatient care, referral services and pre- and post-counselling and provides medicines.