The Assam
Rifles is the oldest paramilitary force of India. The
unit can trace its lineage back to a paramilitary police force that was formed
under the British in 1835 called Cachar
Levy. Since then the Assam Rifles have undergone a number of name changes
before the name Assam Rifles was finally adopted in 1917. The Assam
Frontier Police (1883), the Assam Military Police (1891) and Eastern Bengal and
Assam Military Police (1913), before finally becoming the Assam Rifles in 1917. Over the course of its history, the
Assam Rifles and its predecessor units have served in a number of roles,
conflicts and theatres including World War I where they served in Europe and
the Middle East, and World War II where they served mainly in Burma. In the
post World War II period the Assam Rifles has expanded greatly as has its role.
There are currently 46 battalions of Assam Rifles under the control of the Indian Ministry
of Home Affairs (MHA) and they perform many roles including the
provision of internal security under the control of the army through the
conduct of counter
insurgency and border security operations, provision of aid to
the civil power in times of emergency, and the provision of communications,
medical assistance and education in remote areas. In times of war they can also be used
as a combat force to secure rear areas if needed. Since 2002 it has been
guarding the India-Myanmar
border as per the government policy "one border one
force".
No comments:
Post a Comment