M S Nazki
The Assam Rifles (AR) is a paramilitary force of India responsible for border security, counter-insurgency, and maintaining law and order in Northeast India and in Jammu & Kashmir in lines of Rashtriya Rifles. Its primary duty involves guarding the Indo-Myanmar border!
-They indeed are very capable of handling insurgency!
-When the initial news came in that two Assam Rifles Battalions From Manipur were to be deployed In Jammu And Kashmir, it was not a surprise
-The move was routine as the military works to deploy forces including the Assam Rifles in the most efficient manner for neutralising terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, sources said
-The paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) which is under the Home Ministry will take over security duties in the locations in Manipur where the two AR battalions comprising approximately 1,500 soldiers were stationed, sources said.
-The remaining AR battalions in Manipur will continue to stay on for the dual roles of counter-insurgency and border-guarding, sources said.
-Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a review meeting to assess the security situation in J&K after a spate of terror attacks. He was given a full overview of the situation at the meeting where National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Home Minister Amit Shah were present.
-Outside of J&K, the AR is among the most experienced counter-insurgency forces, sources said, adding the deployment of AR soldiers will help boost anti-terror ops in J&K.
-The AR – ‘Sentinels of Northeast’ – is under the administrative control of the Home Ministry and operational control of the army. It guards the 1,600-km-long Indo-Myanmar border, of which nearly 400 km is in Manipur, where it also functions as the primary counter-insurgency force making its task a dual-role one.
-There are some Border Security Force (BSF) battalions in Manipur, but they are not specifically tasked with guarding the Indo-Myanmar border.
-Former AR Director General Lieutenant General PC Nair (retired) on July 27 had termed as “stupid reports” allegations that the AR has been “favouring one community and not the other” in ethnic violence-hit Manipur, where the valley-dominant Meitei community and nearly two dozen tribes known as Kukis – a term given by the British in colonial times – who are dominant in some hill areas of Manipur, have been fighting since May 2023.
-Lt General Nair, after four decades of service, had said that to call the AR biased towards a particular community was “nothing but rumours” spread by some people with a hidden agenda.
“… From the first day, the Assam Rifle has maintained a neutral stand [in Manipur]. All these narratives that have been coming are agenda-driven. It makes me laugh when I read some of these stupid reports saying the Assam Rifles is favouring one community, not favouring the other. These are nothing but rumours, falsehoods, preposterous,” Lt General Nair had said.
-“The AR is a professional force and can be deployed anywhere across the country depending on the security needs. The current situation in Jammu and Kashmir is such that AR’s role is needed there. The AR is not some district commissioner or official who people can bully or hold protests against to be removed as per their whim,” the retired officer told, requesting anonymity.
-The AR on its website says the force remains deployed in some of the most remote and underdeveloped areas and provides security to locals. It has grown substantially over the years from 17 battalions in 1960 to 46 battalions at present.
-What is best in Assam Rifles, men, women and officers is that they know all the aspects of operating in insurgency hit areas!
The latest:
-MHA Deputes 2 More Units of Assam Rifles To Jammu & Kashmir!
-Following uprising in terrorist-related activities, the home ministry has shifted a total of four units of Assam Rifles mainly assigned to guard India-Myanmar border, into J-K.
-In a major development, the Home Ministry has approved the deployment of two more units of Assam Rifles (AR) to Jammu & Kashmir taking the total deployment of the force in Jammu & Kashmir up to four.
-Last year, the Home Ministry deployed two units consisting of at least 2400 personnel of the AR to Jammu & Kashmir. The decision was taken following an uprising of terror-related activities in Jammu & Kashmir.
Shocked over the uprising of terror-related incidents in Jammu & Kashmir, Home Minister Amit Shah has recently asked the security agencies to look into the strategic deployment of the security forces. The Assam Rifles has also started biometric registration of Myanmar nationals coming into India.
“The process that has been started since December last resulted in the limited entry of 7,000 foreign nationals into India,” a senior Assam Rifles official said. “We have started biometric registration of all people coming from Myanmar that helped us to keep a check on the movements of even anti-national elements,” the official said.
The Assam Rifles has started the biometric registration process in 22 entry and exit points along the India-Myanmar border. The process of making biometric registration of all people coming into India or going to Myanmar has been started ever since the Ministry of Home Affairs has revised the policy of Free Movement Regime (FMR).
Under new guidelines of the Home Ministry, people on both sides of the border can visit upto 10 km from the border of both countries. “The initiative helped us to keep a check on illegal entry of the people,” the official added. On many occasions, security agencies pouted towards the involvement of external forces into Manipur violence.
The Assam Rifles have been guarding the entire stretch of the India-Myanmar border. Meanwhile, the Assam Rifles is organising Unity Utsav, a five-day festival marking the sportsmanship and cultural heritage of Northeast India. The event is being organised in collaboration with the North East Association Social Welfare.
“Unity Utsav will bring together over 1,000 students from all eight Northeastern states, showcasing their talent and fostering a spirit of unity and national pride,” said Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, Director General of Assam Rifles. Under the theme ‘One Voice, One Nation,’ the event took place in Delhi from February 15 to 20.
The event culminated in a spectacular cultural evening on February 20, featuring traditional music, dance, and performances by students from the region. “This vibrant showcase will celebrate the Northeast’s rich heritage and diverse traditions,” Lt Gen Lakhera said. Unity Utsav aims to strengthen national identity through sports and culture, emphasising the power of unity in diversity, the Assam Rifles DG said.
We told you that they know what has to be done!
Author
The Kashmir Dialogues
