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{{short description|Oldest paramilitary force in India}}
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
| agencyname = Assam Rifles
| abbreviation = AR
| patch =
| patchcaption =
| logo = Assam Rifles Logo.jpg
| logocaption = [[Coat of arms]] of the Assam Rifles
| badge =
| badgecaption =
| flag =
| flagcaption =
| motto = ''Sentinels of the North East''
| mottotranslated =
| mission =
| formedyear = 1835
| formedmonthday =
| preceding1 =
| employees = 63,747 Active Personnel<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/EnglAnnualReport2016-17_17042017.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=12 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808200948/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/EnglAnnualReport2016-17_17042017.pdf |archive-date=8 August 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
| volunteers =
| budget = {{INRConvert|6061.87|c|1}} (2020-21)<ref>{{cite web |title=Expenditure Budget - Ministry of Home Affairs |url=https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/eb/sbe48.xlsx |website=Expenditure Budget {{!}} Union Budget of India |publisher=Ministry of Finance |access-date=6 June 2020 |archive-date=26 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526111017/https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/eb/sbe48.xlsx |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| nongovernment =
| country = India
| countryabbr = IN
| federal = Yes
| map =
| mapcaption =
| sizearea =
| sizepopulation =
| legaljuris =
| governingbody = [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home]]
[[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]]
| governingbodyscnd =
| constitution1 = Assam Rifles Act, 2006 & Rules 2010
| speciality1 = Counter Insurgency operations
| overviewtype =
| overviewbody =
| headquarters = [[Shillong]], India
| hqlocmap =
| hqlocleft =
| hqloctop =
| hqlocmappoptitle =
| sworntype =
| sworn =
| unsworntype =
| unsworn =
| electeetype = Minister
| minister1name = [[Amit Shah]]
| minister1pfo = Union Home Minister
| chief1name = [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lt Gen]] [[Pradeep Chandran Nair]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]], [[Yudh Seva Medal|YSM]]<ref>https://m.economictimes.com/news/defence/lt-gen-pradeep-chandran-nair-takes-over-as-dg-of-assam-rifles/amp_articleshow/83139995.cms?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQHKAFQArABIA%3D%3D#aoh=16226027189466&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fm.economictimes.com%2Fnews%2Fdefence%2Flt-gen-pradeep-chandran-nair-takes-over-as-dg-of-assam-rifles%2Farticleshow%2F83139995.cms</ref>
| chief1position = [[Director General of Assam Rifles|Director General]]
| parentagency = [[Indian Army]]
| child1agency =
| unittype =
| unitname =
| officetype =
| officename =
| provideragency =
| uniformedas =
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| airbases =
| lockuptype =
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| website = {{URL|http://assamrifles.gov.in/}}
| footnotes =
| reference =
}}
[[File:Stamp of India - 1985 - Colnect 167187 - The Assam Rifles Sentinels of the North East.jpeg|thumb|right|1985 postage stamp]]
The '''Assam Rifles''' is the oldest [[paramilitary]] force of India, dating back to 1835 under the [[British Raj]], raised under the name ''Cachar Levy''. The present name of "Assam Rifles" has been used since 1917.<ref>See Sharma 2008.</ref> Over the course of its history, the Assam Rifles have served in a number of roles, conflicts and theatres including [[World War I]]{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}, where they served in [[Europe]] and the [[Middle East]], and [[World War II]], where they served mainly in [[Burma]].{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} After the [[Annexation of Tibet by the People's Republic of China|Chinese annexation of Tibet]], the Assam Rifles were tasked with manning the [[China India border|Tibet border]] of Assam Himalayan region. They were also instrumental in maintaining law and order in the tribal [[Arunachal Pradesh]].

The force is under the control of the Indian [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]] (MHA). There are currently 46 battalions of Assam Rifles with a sanctioned strength of 63,747 personnel.<ref name="History">See [http://assamrifles.net/site/aboutus.htm History of the Assam Rifles] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310015024/http://assamrifles.net/site/aboutus.htm|date=10 March 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=MHA Annual Report 2016-2017|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/EnglAnnualReport2016-17_17042017.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808200948/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/EnglAnnualReport2016-17_17042017.pdf|archive-date=8 August 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> They perform many roles including the provision of internal security under the control of the army through the conduct of [[counterinsurgency]] and border security operations, provision of aid to the civilians in times of emergency, and the provision of [[communications]], medical assistance and education in remote areas.<ref name=Sharma>Sharma 2008.</ref> In times of war they can also be used as a combat force to secure rear areas if needed. Since 2002 the force has been given the role of guarding the [[Indo–Myanmar barrier]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article/one-border-one-force/221456|title=One Border One Force?|publisher=outlookindia.com}}</ref>

==History==

===Early history===
The present day Assam Rifles can trace its origins to a paramilitary force known as ''Cachar Levy'' which was established by the [[United Kingdom|British]] in 1835 in the [[Assam]] region. The Assam Rifles boast of being the oldest paramilitary force. With approximately seven hundred and fifty men, this force was formed as a police unit to protect settlements against tribal raids and other assaults as British rule slowly moved towards the north east parts of India.<ref name=History />

Despite problems with equipment and training, the contribution of this force in opening the region to administration and commerce was nevertheless quite significant and over time they have become known as the "right arm of the civil and [the] left arm of the military" in the region.<ref name=History /> In 1870 these existing elements were merged into three Assam Military Police battalions which were spread out in the [[Lushai Hills]] (later 1st battalion), [[Lakhimpur district|Lakhimpur]] (2nd battalion) and [[Naga Hills]] (3rd battalion). A fourth battalion was later formed [[Imphal]] in 1915.{{Citation needed|date=February 2009}} The first non-British DG of Assam Rifles was Col. Sidhiman Rai, MC.

Since then the name of the force has undergone a number of changes, as have the roles that it has been required to perform. The current director general of Assam Rifles is Lt Gen Sukhdeep Sangwan.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newsmobile.in/articles/2016/12/14/lt-gen-shokin-chauhan-takes-over-as-dg-assam-rifles/|title=Lt. Gen Shokin Chauhan takes over as DG Assam Rifles - Newsmobile|last=Bureau|first=News Mobile State|date=2016-12-14|work=Newsmobile|access-date=2017-10-15|language=en-US}}</ref>

===World War I and Interwar Years===
During [[World War I]], men from what was then known as the ''Assam Military Police'' were part of the Indian forces that fought in Europe and the Middle East. Over three thousand men from the force were provided to the [[Gurkhas|Gorkha regiments]] of the Indian Army in this time, earning seventy-six gallantry awards during the conflict including seven [[Indian Order of Merit]] awards and five [[Indian Distinguished Service Medal]]s.<ref name=History /> These men performed with such distinction that the name ''Assam Rifles'' was assigned in 1917 as recognition of their part in the war.<ref name=History /> Elements of the force were also utilised in India during the war, being used to maintain internal security in order to free up troops from the army for use overseas. During this time, the most notable action occurred in 1917 when columns of the Assam Rifles were despatched to [[Patna]], to restore law and order in the riot-torn city.<ref name=History />

After the war the force returned to northern India where they were used to maintain security amidst growing civil unrest and disorder. In concert with the [[British Indian Army]], they also undertook a number of expeditions into remote tribal areas along the north-east frontier and into Burma. In 1924 they were sent to [[Malabar district|Malabar]], which was then still part of the [[Madras Presidency]], to carry out operations against the Mopla rebels.<ref name=History />

===World War II===
During [[World War II]], the role of the Assam Rifles evolved once more as they were called upon to undertake even more varied tasks due to their status as both a police and military organisation. This time, however, their service would be undertaken closer to home. After the lightning [[Burma Campaign#Japanese conquest of Burma|Japanese advance]] in 1942, the Assam Rifles fought a number of Independent actions behind enemy lines as the task of rear-area defence and rear-guard often fell to them during the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]] retreat into India. Later, as a large influx of refugees fled from the advancing Japanese into India, the Assam Rifles were given the task of managing and organising this mass of humanity.<ref name=History />

They also organized a resistance group on the Indo–Burmese border to counter the Japanese invasion and to harass the enemy line of communications. This group became known as "Victor Force" (or sometimes [[V-Force]]), and the nucleus of it was formed from platoons made up of men from the Assam Rifles. As part of this force, Assam Rifles platoons were used as covering forces during the latter stages of the [[Burma Campaign]]. Other elements fought in the defensive "boxes" around [[Battle of Kohima|Kohima]], whilst another, from the 4th Battalion, trained as airborne troops, was dropped near the [[Sittang River]] behind Japanese lines.<ref name=Sharma /> The 1st Battalion, as part of [[Lushai Brigade]] was sent ahead of the rest of the force to provide resistance in the [[Chin Hills]]. As a testament to the performance of Assam Rifles men during the war, members of the unit received forty-eight gallantry awards. These included: three [[Member of the Order of the British Empire|MBE]]'s, five [[Military Cross]]es, 4 [[Order of British India|Orders of British India]], one [[Indian Order of Merit]], 13 [[Military Medal]]s, 15 [[Indian Distinguished Service Medal]]s and 7 [[British Empire Medal]]s.<ref name=History />
[[File:Assam Rifles marching contingent passes through the Rajpath during the 64th Republic Day Parade-2013, in New Delhi on January 26, 2013.jpg|alt=|thumb|Assam Rifles personnel]]

===Postwar period===
Following the end of the war the five Assam Rifles battalions became part of the civil police under the Assam Inspector General of Police.<ref name=Sharma /> After independence, however, the Indian government assigned the Assam Rifles its own Director General.<ref name=History /> 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]]. The present Director General of the Assam Rifles is Lieutenant General Sukhdeep Sangwan AVSM, SM** of the [[Rajputana Rifles]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Lt Gen Sukhdeep Sangwan takes over as DG of Assam Rifles |url=https://nenow.in/north-east-news/lt-gen-sukhdeep-sangwan-takes-dg-assam-rifles.html |website=NORTHEAST NOW}}</ref>

Prior to 1965, this force was under the Ministry of External Affairs who were looking after NEFA affairs. It was transferred to the Ministry of Home Affairs when the latter took over this responsibility. From a nominal complement of only five battalions in 1947, it has grown to 33 with several range HQs. A training center, and a number of logistics units function under the HQ DG AR, Shillong. The Assam Rifles Public School is a much sought after education institute in the North East.The role of the Assam Rifles continued to evolve when in 1950 a devastating earthquake hit the Assam region and the force was called in to assist in the reconstruction of the areas and help in the resettlement and rehabilitation of those affected by it.<ref name=Sharma /> Later the force was once again called to undertake a combat role when, during the 1962 [[Sino-Indian War]] elements were used to delay the advancing Chinese forces so that the Indian Army could establish its defence lines.<ref name=History /> During this time and since then, the Assam Rifles also maintained their peacekeeping role in the northern areas of India in the face of growing tribal unrest and insurgency. In this environment the maintenance of law and order, countering insurgency and reassuring the people of the region became important tasks for the security forces and initially they fell to the Assam Rifles before the Army assumed control, and then later their experience and goodwill in the region was drawn upon in order to assist the army in conducting these tasks.<ref name=History /> In recognition of the unit's skill in counterinsurgency operations, three battalions were deployed on [[Operation Pawan]] in Sri Lanka between December 1988 and February 1990.<ref name=Sharma />

Through its deployment in what has become known as the "[[tribal belt (India)|tribal belt]]", the Assam Rifles have developed an ethos that is based primarily upon the notion of extending the hand of friendship with the people of the region despite the troubles that have occurred there.<ref name=History /> This has resulted in their employment in a number of developmental activities in the region as they have worked to bring order and security to it. As such, their role has been further expanded to include the provision of medical assistance and basic education, assisting in reconstruction and agriculture and handling communications in remote areas.{{Citation needed|date=February 2009}}

From a force of five battalions in 1947, the Assam Rifles has grown substantially over the years. In 1960 there were seventeen battalions, in 1968 there were twenty-one and today there are forty-six battalions.<ref name=Sharma /> In addition, the force has several area HQs, a training centre that processes up to 1,800 recruits at time, and a number of logistics units.<ref>See [http://assamrifles.net/site/training.htm Assam Rifles Training Centre] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309031319/http://assamrifles.net/site/training.htm |date=9 March 2009 }}</ref>

==Organisation==

The areas covered by the Assam Rifle Forces are themselves divided into sectors:
* Assam Rifles North – [[Kohima|Kohima, Nagaland]]
* Sector 5 – Kohima, Nagaland
* Sector 6 – [[Dimapur|Dimapur, Nagaland]]
* Sector 7 – [[Tuensang|Tuensang, Nagaland]]
* Sector 25 – [[Lekhapani|Lekhapani, Assam]]
* Assam Rifles South – [[Imphal|Imphal, Manipur]]
* Sector 9 – Imphal, Manipur
* Sector 10 – [[Ukhrul|Ukhrul South, Manipur]]
* Sector 26 – [[Pallel|Thoubal, Manipur]]
* Sector 27 – [[Churachandpur district|Churchandrapur, Manipur]]
* Sector 28 – [[Kakching|Thoubal, Manipur]]
* Assam Rifles East – [[Silchar|Silchar, Assam]]
* Sector 21 – [[Agartala|Agartala, Tripura]]
* Sector 22 – [[Haflong|Haflong, Assam]]
* Sector 23 – [[Aizwal|Aizwal, Mizoram]]
* Assam Rifles Training Centre & School – Dimapur, Nagaland

==Decorations==
Members of the Assam Rifles have received the following military decorations<ref>{{cite web|url=https://assamrifles.gov.in/english/newwindow.html?2030|title=Honours & Awards|date=|access-date=2021-04-10}}</ref> -

;Pre - Independence Awards

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Award
! Times awarded
|-
| [[Order of the British Empire|Commander Of The Order Of British Empire (CBE)]]
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
| [[Order of the British Empire|Member Of The Order Of British Empire (MBE)]]
| style="text-align:center;"|3
|-
| [[Order of the Indian Empire|Companion of Order of the Indian Empire (CIE)]]
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|-
| [[Indian Order of Merit|Indian Order Of Merit (IOM)]]
| style="text-align:center;"|13
|-
| [[Queen's Police Medal|King's Police Medal (KPM)]]
| style="text-align:center;"|11
|-
| [[Military Cross|Military Cross (MC)]]
| style="text-align:center;"|5
|-
| [[Order of British India|Order Of British India (OBI)]]
| style="text-align:center;"|6
|-
| [[Indian Distinguished Service Medal|Indian Distinguish Service Medal (IDSM)]]
| style="text-align:center;"|31
|-
| [[Military Medal|Military Medal (MM)]]
| style="text-align:center;"|25
|-
| [[British Empire Medal|British Empire Medal (BEM)]]
| style="text-align:center;"|7
|-
| [[Mentioned in dispatches|Mentioned In Dispatches]]
| style="text-align:center;"|4
|}

;Post - Independence Awards

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Award
! Times awarded
|-
| [[Ashoka Chakra Award|Ashoka Chakra]]
| style="text-align:center;"|4
|-
| [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]
| style="text-align:center;"|10
|-
| [[Kirti Chakra]]
| style="text-align:center;"|33
|-
| [[Uttam Yudh Seva Medal]]
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
| [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]<ref>There has been one instance of a multiple award of the AVSM to the same recipient, that is a 'Bar' being awarded. This is included in this figure.</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"]|23
|-
| [[Vir Chakra]]
| style="text-align:center;"|5
|-
| [[Shaurya Chakra]]<ref>There has been one 'Bar' awarded for the Shaurya Chakra. This is included in this figure.</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|147
|-
| [[Yudh Seva Medal]]
| style="text-align:center;"|12
|-
| [[Sena Medal]]<ref>There have been six 'Bars' awarded for the Sena Medal to members of the Assam Rifles. These are included in this figure.</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|400
|-
| [[Vishisht Seva Medal]]<ref>There has been one instance of a Bar being awarded for the VSM to a member of the Assam Rifles. This has been included in this figure.</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|97
|-
| [[Mentioned in dispatches]]
| style="text-align:center;"|39
|}

==Director General Assam Rifles==
{{Main|Director General of the Assam Rifles}}

The '''Director General of the Assam Rifles''' ('''DGAR''') is the head of the Assam Rifles. The DGAR has their office in the Headquarters DGAR at [[Shillong]]. Appointed by the Government of India, the DGAR reports to the [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Minister of Home Affairs]]. The Director General is an [[Indian Army]] Officer of the rank of [[Lieutenant General]]. The position is currently held by Lieutenant General Pradeep Chandran Nair, [[AVSM]], [[Sena Medal|YSM]][[Medal bar|**]].

==Rank Structure==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!''' Assam Rifles appointments''' !! |Equivalent Army ranks
|-
| [[Director General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|-
| [[Inspector General]]
|[[Major General]]
|-
| [[Deputy Inspector General]]
|[[Brigadier]]
|-
| [[Commandant]]
|[[Colonel]]
|-
| [[Second in Command]]
|[[Lieutenant Colonel]]
|-
| [[Deputy Commandant]]
|[[Major]]
|-
|[[Assistant Commandant]]
|[[Captain]]
|}
<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mod.nic.in/6thCPC/PAYSERVICES-notification.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-10-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404111355/http://mod.nic.in/6thCPC/PAYSERVICES-notification.pdf |archive-date=4 April 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web |url=http://careerairforce.nic.in//career_opp/caropp_officer_payperks.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 April 2009 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20090410010122/http://careerairforce.nic.in//career_opp/caropp_officer_payperks.html |archive-date=10 April 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>[http://bsf.nic.in/career.htm] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120072641/http://bsf.nic.in/career.htm |date=20 November 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?653202 |archive-url=https://archive.is/20120715040945/http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?653202 |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 July 2012 |title=Govt Agrees to 'Pay Hike Demand' for Lt Cols |publisher=news.outlookindia.com |access-date=12 February 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianairforce.nic.in/show_page.php?pg_id=121|title=Error Page|access-date=3 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225232258/http://indianairforce.nic.in/show_page.php?pg_id=121|archive-date=25 February 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>[http://www.persmin.nic.in/WriteReadData/SV/IPS_PayRules2008_English.pdf] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721180510/http://www.persmin.nic.in/WriteReadData/SV/IPS_PayRules2008_English.pdf |date=21 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pcdaopune.gov.in/6cpc.aspx |title=Updates on 6th CPC |publisher=Pcdaopune.gov.in |access-date=12 February 2013}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Assam Regiment]]
* [[Border Security Force]]
* [[Central Industrial Security Force]]
* [[Central Reserve Police Force]]
** [[Rapid Action Force]]
* [[Indian Army]]
* [[Indo-Tibetan Border Police]]
* [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)]]
* [[Ministry of Defence (India)]]
* [[National Security Guard]]
* [[Rashtriya Rifles]]
* [[Sashastra Seema Bal]]
* [[Special Forces of India]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* Parker, John. (2005). ''The Gurkhas: The Inside Story of the World's Most Feared Soldiers''. Headline Book Publishing. {{ISBN|978-0-7553-1415-7}}.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090310015024/http://assamrifles.net/site/aboutus.htm. "History of the Assam Rifles".] Retrieved 25 February 2009.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090309031319/http://assamrifles.net/site/training.htm. "Assam Rifles Training Centre".] Retrieved 25 February 2009.
* Shakespear, Leslie. (1929). ''History of the Assam Rifles''. Macmillan: London. Reprinted in 1977 by Firma.
* Sharma, A.K. (2008). [https://web.archive.org/web/20080519152847/http://frontierindia.net/the-assam-rifles-sentinels-of-the-east. "The Assam Rifles: Sentinels of the East".] 16 May 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2009.

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.assamrifles.gov.in/}}

{{Home Ministry (India)}}
{{Assam}}
{{Law enforcement in India}}

[[Category:1835 establishments in British India]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1835]]
[[Category:Paramilitary forces of India]]
[[Category:British Indian Army regiments]]
[[Category:Non-military counterinsurgency organizations]]
[[Category:Federal law enforcement agencies of India]]
[[Category:Indian World War I regiments]]
[[Category:Indian World War II regiments]]
[[Category:Border guarding forces of India]]
[[Category:Specialist law enforcement agencies of India]]

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Assam Rifles - Revision history

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