Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here’s your knowledge nugget for today. Knowledge Nugget: Assam Rifles Subject: History and Polity Why in the news? In a development towards addressing a long-standing issue, a ceremonial transfer of land between Assam Rifles and Mizoram government took place on Saturday (March 15) to mark the relocation of paramilitary force from areas in the heart of Aizawl to Zokhawsang, 15 km away from the city. Key Takeaways : 1. In the ceremony was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Assam Rifles DG L-G Vikas Lakhera, Mizoram CM Lalduhoma and other, the senior representatives from the state government and the Assam Rifles exchanged two maps — one showing the new location of Assam Rifles at Zokhawsang and the other detailing the land to be handed over to the state government by Assam Rifles. 2. The transfer itself is slated to take place next month. A memorandum of agreement to finalize this transfer had been signed between the Assam Rifles and Mizoram in October last year. 3. Mizoram Chief Secretary Khilli Ram Meena said the Assam Rifles will give 106.853 acres of land in Aizawl, while the Mizoram government has given 1305.15 acres on lease to the Assam Rifles in Zokhawsang. 4. Citing a “pressing need to decongest our roads and public spaces,” Lalduhoma said the transfer, “will greatly facilitate the process, freeing up valuable space and resources, that can be redirected towards the development of our city and improving the quality of life for our citizens”. 5. Notably, the relocation demand was raised by former CM Laldenga from the Mizo National Front. A year after Mizoram got formal statehood after two decades of insurgency. Assam Rifles 1. The Assam Rifles (AR) are a central armed police force. The AR is one of the six central armed police forces (CAPFs) under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The other five forces are the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). 2. The AR is tasked with maintaining law and order in the Northeast along with the Indian Army. It also guards the Indo-Myanmar border. 3. It is the only paramilitary force with a dual control structure. While the administrative control of the force is with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), its operational control is with the Indian Army, which is under the Ministry of Defence (MoD). 4. Due to the dual control structure, salaries and infrastructure for the force is provided by the MHA, but the deployment, posting, transfer and deputation of the personnel is decided by the Army. All its senior ranks, from DG to IG and sector headquarters, are manned by officers from the Army. 5. The Force is commanded by an officer of the rank of Lieutenant General of the Army. The highest HQ of the force known as the HQ Directorate General of Assam Rifles is located at Shillong. Assam Rifles is a region specific force with its operational role in the North East and therefore the HQ DGAR is also located in the East. The HQs of all other Central Para Military Forces are located at Delhi. 6. Its recruitment, perks, promotion of its personnel and retirement policies are governed according to the rules framed by the MHA for CAPFs. 7. This has created two sets of demands from both within the Assam Rifles and by MoD and MHA for singular control over the force by one ministry. Evolution of Assam Rifles: From Colonial Militia to Modern Sentinel 1. According to the official website of Assam Rifles, the AR came into being in 1835, as a militia called the ‘Cachar Levy’. With approximately 750 men, this Force was formed to primarily protect British Tea estates and their settlements against tribal raids. 2. The force was reorganised later as the Assam Frontier Force, and its role was expanded to conduct punitive operations beyond the borders of Assam. 3. In 1870, the elements of the force were merged into three Assam Military Police Battalions, named after the Lushai Hills, Lakhimpur, and the Naga Hills. The ‘Darrang’ Battalion was raised just before the onset of World War I. This force sent more than 3,000 men as part of the British Army to theatres of the War in Europe and the Middle East. 4. In 1917, the name of the force was changed to Assam Rifles, recognising their work during the World war. In World War II, after the lightning 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 as the Allies retreated into India. The force was awarded 48 gallantry medals during this War. 5. The post-independence role of the Assam Rifles continued to evolve, ranging from a conventional combat role during the Sino-India War in 1962, operating in foreign land as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to Sri Lanka in 1987 (Op Pawan), to a peacekeeping role in the northeastern areas of India. 6. It remains the most awarded paramilitary force in both pre- and post-Independence India, having won a very large number of Shaurya Chakras, Kirti Chakras, Vir Chakras, Ashok Chakras, and Sena Medals. BEYOND THE NUGGET: Lachit Borphukan 1. On saturday (March 15), Home minister Amit Shah also inaugurated the first phase of the revamped police academy in Assam’s Dergaon, hailing the state government’s decision to name it after storied Ahom general Lachit Barphukan. 2. Lachit Borphukan was a legendary army commander of the Ahom kingdom. He was chosen as one of the five Borphukans of the Ahom kingdom by king Charadhwaj Singha, and given administrative, judicial, and military responsibilities. He defeated the Mughal forces, led by Raja Ramsingh-I, in the ‘Battle of Saraighat’, and thwarted a drawn-out attempt by them to take back Assam. 3. He is considered one of the greatest of Assamese heroes, symbolising the valour, courage, and intelligence that defines the Assamese self-identity. Every year, 24th November is celebrated as the ‘Lachit Diwas’ to mark the birth anniversary of the Lachit Borphukan. Post Read Question With reference to the Assam Rifles, consider the following statements: 1. It is one of the central armed police forces (CAPFs) under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). 2. It is tasked with maintaining law and order in the Northeast along with the Indian Army. 3. It is the only paramilitary force with a dual control structure. 4. The Assam Rifles guard the India-China border. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four Answer Key (c) (Sources: www.assamrifles.gov., Significant day: Amit Shah on Assam Rifles relocation in Mizoram, Story of the Assam Rifles, against whom Manipur Police have filed an FIR,Knowledge nugget of the day: Lachit Borphukan- ‘Shivaji of the Northeast’, Explained: Assam Rifles’ dual control structure, and its role by Deeptiman Tiwary) 🚨Union Budget 2025 special: Click Here to read the February 2025 issue of the UPSC Essentials monthly magazine. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com🚨 Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
