Assam Rifles

Table of Contents

Why in news?

They perform many roles including the provision of internal security under the control of the army
Counter insurgencyoperations
Provision of aid to the civilians in times of emergency,
The provision ofcommunications, medical assistance and education in remote areas.
In times of war they can also be used as a combat force to secure rear areas if needed.
Since 2002 it has been guarding theIndo–Myanmar border
AR has become the right arm of the civil and the left arm of the military in the region

Home ministry (MHA)has the administrative authorityover Assam Rifles –Infrastructure, Salaries, pensions, benefits, etc
Army (Defence ministry)has operational control (since1965).

Operational duties and regimentation -on the lines of the Army.
Recruitment, perks, promotion and retirement policies -according to the rules of MHA for CAPFs.

All the border guarding forces are under the operational control of the ministry and so Assam Rifles coming under MHA will give border guarding a comprehensive and integratedapproach.
Indo-Myanmar border.

Assam Rifles has worked well in coordination with the Army
It frees up the armed forces from many of its responsibilities to focus on its core strengths.
Assam Rifles was always a military force and not a police forceand has been built like that.
A ‘change of hands’ will confuse the force and jeopardise national security.