Editing Assam Rifles (section)

== History ==
[[File:Stamp of India - 1985 - Colnect 167187 - The Assam Rifles Sentinels of the North East.jpeg|thumb|right|1985 postage stamp]]
=== 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 boasts 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=September 2021}} Following India's independence, Col. Sidhiman Rai, MC, was appointed the first Indian DG of Assam Rifles.

Since then the name of the force has undergone a number of changes, as have the roles that it has been required to perform.

=== 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.{{sfn|Sharma|2008}} 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]]
[[File:Assam Rifles Soldier.jpg|thumb|Assam Rifles Soldier on a regular patrol.]]
=== 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.{{sfn|Sharma|2008}} After independence, however, the Indian government assigned the Assam Rifles its own Director General, who is sent on tenure based postings from the [[Indian Army]].<ref name=History /> As the numbers of the force and the number of battalions gradually increased, the rank of the force commander was upgraded to Director General, which is occupied by a [[lieutenant general]] ranking officer in the Indian Army. The present Director General of the Assam Rifles is Vikas Lakhera
.<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|date=14 May 2018 }}</ref>

Prior to 1965, this force was under the [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]], who were looking after NEFA affairs. Later, it was transferred to the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]], with Indian Army retaining operational control. From a nominal complement of only five battalions in 1947, it has grown to 46 with several range HQs. 3 training center, and a number of logistics units function under the HQ DGAR, Shillong.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.assamrifles.gov.in/english/newwindow.html?2030 |title=Organisation Structure |website=assamrifles.gov.in |publisher=Assam Rifles |access-date=6 January 2022 |quote=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.}}</ref> 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.{{sfn|Sharma|2008}} 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.{{sfn|Sharma|2008}}

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=September 2021}}

From a force of 5 battalions in 1947, the Assam Rifles has grown substantially over the years. In 1960 there were 17 battalions, in 1968 there were 21 and today there are 46 battalions.{{sfn|Sharma|2008}} 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>{{cite web|url=http://assamrifles.net/site/training.htm |title=Assam Rifles Training Centre |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309031319/http://assamrifles.net/site/training.htm |archive-date=9 March 2009}}</ref>