What is Assam Rifles?
The Assam Rifles (AR) is an Indian government-controlled paramilitary force responsible for border security, counter-insurgency, and maintaining law and order in Northeast India.
It guards the Indo–Myanmar border.
The AR is one of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) which are administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Indian Army maintains operational control of the Assam Rifles.
The AR is nicknamed "Sentinels of the North East" and "Friends of the Hill People".
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It is the oldest paramilitary force in India, originally raised in 1835 as Cachar Levy, a militia to protect tea gardens and the fertile plains of Assam against unruly tribes.
Its scope increased with the expansion of British Raj in Northeast India, and it was used against insurgencies in the region.
It got its present name in 1917.
After independence, the AR functioned under the Ministry of External Affairs.
Its operational control was transferred to the Indian Army after the Sino-Indian War of 1962.
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It came under the administration of Ministry of Home Affairs in 1965, with the Army retaining operational control.
Headquarters : Shillong, Meghalaya.
Operations:
World War I, where they served in Europe and the Middle East.
World War II, where they served mainly in Burma.
Roles:
After the Chinese annexation of Tibet, the Assam Rifles were tasked with manning Assam's section of the Tibetan border.
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They were also instrumental in maintaining law and order in Arunachal Pradesh.
Upholding internal security under the control of the army through the conduct of counterinsurgency and border security operations.
Provision of aid to civilians in times of emergency.
Facilitation of communications, medical assistance and education in remote areas.
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In times of war they can also be used as a combat force to secure rear areas if needed.
Since 2002, the force has had the role of guarding the India–Myanmar border.
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