SHILLONG:
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, on March 24, said that the Assam Rifles has contributed significantly towards maintaining security and peace and harmony in the insurgency affected areas of the Northeast.
“The Assam Rifles during its glorious history has contributed significantly to the maintenance of peace and harmony in the insurgency affected areas of the Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir and has performed exemplary work in preventing drug trafficking. The Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that the Assam Rifles are the watchdog of the Northeast and the oldest paramilitary force in the country with a rich history of valour and courage,” said Rai, addressing the 187th Raising Day celebrations of the Assam Rifles at Director General Assam Rifles (DGAR) in Shillong, on March 24, as the chief guest.
Rai’s address was attended by senior officers, jawans of Assam Rifles and their families from across the country via video conferencing, where the MoS Home said that the interests of the security forces along with the interest of the country have always been of paramount importance for the Centre.
The government has given the Assam Rifles powers under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act as well and it was a well thought out decision, Rai said, adding that, in the last one year, the paramilitary force has seized narcotics worth about Rs. 40 crore.
Rai also hailed the Assam Rifles, for inducting women into the force, the UN peacekeeping missions, social schemes undertaken for the public, and monetary contributions.
“The government’s ‘Bharat Ke Veer’ initiative has made a financial contribution of about Rs. 5.57 crore since 2016 to families of 44 brave soldiers who laid down their lives. In addition, to provide wide opportunities for education to children of serving and retired personnel of the force, the government has provided reservation in MBBS/BDS seats in selected medical colleges of, which are being fully utilised by the force,” he said
In his brief address, Rai also delved a little into the history of the force and narrated how the Assam Rifles was established in 1835 as the “Cachar Levy” and the paramilitary force has the unique distinction of being conferred with the most number of gallantry awards among all paramilitary forces during its long history. “The force has emerged as an organisation with effective fighting skills,” Rai said.
Keeping up with times, he said, the Centre has approved proposal to modernise the Assam Rifles, and once it comes into force, infrastructure for state-of-the-art weapons, communication, surveillance and training will also be strengthened.
Stating that the government shall always takes care of the Assam Rifles personnel, he said that the 187th Raising Day marks the legacy of the force that has played significant role in the Northeast sector and thwarted all kinds of illegal and unlawful activities.