March 24 is the 188th Raising Day for the Assam Rifles, which is the oldest and most respected paramilitary organization in the country. It was held at Laitkor Garrison in Shillong, the city of Meghalaya. The North East Region’s Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Development, G. Kishan Reddy, was this year’s main guest.
The Minister paid tribute to the Bravehearts of the force along with Lt Gen PC Nair, the director general of the Assam Rifles, and all ranks of the force. Over the past 188 years, members of this force have given their lives for their country in the most important ways. At the battle memorial in Shillong, Meghalaya, the bravehearts were honored. The Indian army wished Assam Rifles well on Twitter.
General Manoj Pande #COAS and All Ranks of the #IndianArmy convey best wishes to All Ranks and Families of #AssamRifles on the occasion of 188th Raising Day. #thesentinelsofthenortheast@official_dgar pic.twitter.com/XJXPQY25X5
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) March 24, 2023
It is a large paramilitary organization that is in charge of protecting the borders, stopping rebellions, and keeping law and order in North Eastern India. The line between India and Myanmar is protected by it. It is one of the Central Armed Police Forces and falls under the Home Ministry, but the Indian Army is in charge of its operational control, which is subject to CAPF laws and rules.
The Indian Army provides about 80% of its commanders. During its history, this regiment has served in many different roles, wars, and theaters. For example, during the First World War, it saw action in Europe and the Middle East, and during the Second World War, it mostly saw action in Burma. After China took over Tibet, the Assam rifles were put in charge of guarding the border between China and Tibet. They were also important in keeping law and order in Arunachal Pradesh.
It was started by the British in the Assam region in 1835. It was set up as a police unit with about 750 men to protect settlements from Tribal raids and other attacks as British control slowly spread to the northeastern part of India. During World War II, one member of the Assam Military Police served in the Indian military units that fought in Europe and the Middle East.
The Gorkha regiment of the British Indian Army got more than 3,000 soldiers from the regiment. During its time in the First World War, the company earned six medals for bravery.
Since the Assam Rifles were both a military unit and a police force during the Second World War, they had to do a wider range of jobs. When the Allies were retreating to India in 1942, the Assam Rifles had to fight many battles behind enemy lines on their own. They were often in charge of defending the back area and being the rear guard.
Along the Indo-Burma border, a resistance group was also set up to stop the Japanese invasion and cut off the enemy’s lines of communication.
Even in the current situation, the force has continued to prove its worth. Also, five battalions earned a General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Unit Citation and a Chief of Army Staff Citation. They have also received 411 Governor and Presidential decorations, 7 Sena decorations, and 1 Shaurya Chakra.
Former DGs of the force were also there on their raising day and talked to all levels and employees of the force. It is not a separate holiday, but it is something that everyone in the northeast does. They backed up the regiment’s slogan, “Friends of the North East.”
