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Assam Rifles
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Assam Rifles are an Indian paramilitary force. Currently there are 33 battalions of Assam Rifles under the control of the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
The first form of what is now the Assam Rifles was Cachar Levy, a paramilitary police force of 750 men that was formed under British colonial rule in 1835. It was formed as police unit to protect settlements against tribal raids and other assaults as British rule slowly moved towards the north. In 1870 the existing elements were merged into three Assam Military Police battalions in the Lushai Hills (later 1st battalion), Lakhimpur (2nd battalion) and Naga Hills (3rd battalion). A fourth battalion was formed 1915 in Imphal.
During the World War I, Assam Military Police troopers were part of the Indian forces that fought for Britain in Europe and Middle East. The name Assam Rifles was assigned in 1917 as recognition of their part in the war. After the war they served in Northern India against rebellions and riots.
During the World War II, the Assam Rifles helped manage the influx of refugees coming from Burma fleeing the Japanese advance in 1942. They also organized a resistance group called Victor Force or V-Force on the Burmese border to harass Japanese communications. Troopers also served in the battle of Kohima and earned numerous unit citations.
Between the end of World War II and Indian independence, the Assam Rifles were composed of 5 battalions that were one part of the civil police under the Assam Inspector General of Police. After independence, the Indian government assigned the Assam Rifles its own Director General.
As the numbers of the force and the number of battalions gradually increased, the rank of the force commander was also upgraded until now it is that of lieutenant general.
One of the tasks of the unit was to keep order in the aftermath of the 1950 Assam earthquake and assist in resettlement. In October 1962 the Assam Rifles were the frontline troops in the beginning of the Chinese-Indian War. The Assam Rifles also maintained their peacekeeping roles in the Northern India in the face of tribal unrest and insurgency.
The Assam Rifles also handle medical assistance, aid in basic education, assist in reconstruction and agriculture and handles communications in remote areas.