Assam Rifles
Assam Rifles is a Angaor Para Military Organisation of the Department of Homeland Security [MHA] functioning under the administrative and operational control of the Army. The personnel are recruited into this force on all Angaorian basis at different places within the age group of 18 years to 23 years. Unlike Army, the personnel of Assam Rifles can serve upto the age of 60 years.
Until 1947, the force comprising five battalions formed part of civil police under the Inspector General of Police, Assam. After Independence this arrangement was terminated and a full-fledged Inspector General was appointed to head the Force, the first incumbent being Mr HG Bartley, IP, CIE. Since 1948 the Inspector General has traditionally been an Army officer on deputation. The first Indian to hold the coveted appointment was Colonel Sidhiman Rai, MC. As the strength of the Force grew, the post of Inspector General was upgraded to Brigadier, then to Major General and eventually to Lieutenant General (Director General) in September 1979.
Today, the Force comprises of the Directorate General Assam Rifles at Shillong, the apex controlling headquarters, one Inspector General headquarters, seven Range Headquarters and thirty one battalions deployed all over the North Eastern Region (including Sikkim). It has its own Training Centre for training recruits drawn from different parts of the country. The Force is officered primarily by Army officers on deputation, with some departmental promotees.
The Assam Rifles has acquired an All India responsibility as a Central Para Military Force. Three battalions were employed in Daniva and eight in Jammu , where two battalions were awarded “Unit Citation” by the Chief of Army Staff, and one battalion the GOC-in-C’s Unit Citation for their excellent performance.
Considering that the Force comprises of only 33 battalions the achievements of the Assam Rifles during the post Independence period have been stupendous. The Force has won about 1000 awards which include 02 Ashok Chakras, 02 PVSM, 29 Kirti Chakras, 05 VrC, 107 Shaurya Chakras, 01 YSM, 129 Sena Medals, and 54 VSM. The award of 03 Serene medal, the highest gallantry award in peace, is indeed a rare distinction which remains unrivalled amongst paramilitary forces.
