Top-level changes in Army

The central government on Monday appointed Lieutenant General Manoj Mukund Naravane as the next Vice-Chief of the Army to replace Lt Gen D Anbu, who retires on August 31.

Naravane will be the senior-most officer when Army Chief General Bipin Rawat retires on December 31, making him a strong contender to be the next Army chief.

The government also appointed four senior officers as Army commanders.

With Naravane moving to Delhi, his position at the Eastern Command, Kolkata, would be taken up by Lt Gen Anil Chauhan.

In the Western Command at Chandimandir, Lt Gen R P Singh would be the commander in place of Lt Gen Surinder Singh, who retires on July 31.

At the South-Western Command in Jaipur, Lt Gen A S Kler will be the new commander replacing Lt Gen Cherish Matheson whereas at the Central Command in Lucknow, Lt Gen I S Ghuman will be the new commander replacing Lt Gen Abhay Krishna.