RELOCATION OF ASSAM RIFLES FROM AIZAWL
- On March 15, 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the ceremony where land was officially transferred from the Assam Rifles to the Mizoram government.
- This marked the relocation of Assam Rifles’ camp from the center of Aizawl to Zokhaw Song, fulfilling a demand that had been ongoing for over 35 years.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EVENT
- Speech by Amit Shah:
- Union Home minister said that this decision is important for the development of Aizawl.
- The Assam Rifles camp in the heart of the city had been a barrier to the city’s growth and expansion.
- He explained that for 35 years, there was a demand to move the camp because of the tough landscape and lack of space, which made it hard to build more in the city.
- The shift to Zokhawsang shows the government’s commitment to the people of Mizoram and their desire to improve the city’s development.
- He stressed that this move is not just about shifting the camp, but about supporting the growth of Aizawl, helping with infrastructure development, and addressing the needs of the people.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
- The demand for moving the Assam Rifles camp has been raised since the late 1980s.
- The Assam Rifles, India’s oldest paramilitary force, was stationed in the center of Aizawl, making it hard for the city to expand due to the surrounding mountainous terrain and crowded city areas.
- Over the years, local leaders and civil society groups have been pushing for the camp’s relocation so that Aizawl could grow and modernize more easily.
ABOUT ASSAM RIFLES
- Role and Function:
- Assam Rifles is one of the 6 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
- Primarily tasked with conducting counterinsurgency operations in northeastern
- Operationally under the control of the Indian Army, commanded by an officer of Lieutenant General rank.
- Its headquarters is in Shillong, unlike other CAPFs that are based in New Delhi.
HISTORY
- Founded in 1835 as the Cachar Levy, originally to protect British tea estates from tribal raids.
- Evolved into the Frontier Force across the Assam border.
- In 1870, reorganized into 3 Assam Military Police Battalions.
- Renamed as Assam Rifles in 1917.
- Post-Independence, it participated in the Sino-India War (1962) and the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka (1987).
- Expanded significantly from 17 battalions in 1960 to 46 battalions today, playing an essential role in counterinsurgency and peacekeeping operations in Northeast India.
ABOUT CAPF
The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are a group of seven security forces that function under the Ministry of Home Affairs, tasked with national security, border protection, and law enforcement duties.
Retirement Age: The Union Home Ministry has set the retirement age for CAPF personnel at 60 years
THE CAPFs IN INDIA
CONCLUSION
The relocation of Assam Rifles from Aizawl’s urban core to Zokhaw Song is a landmark development that will significantly enhance the city’s urban planning and infrastructure growth. It reflects the Government of India’s commitment to addressing the needs of Mizoram’s people while maintaining the operational efficiency of the Assam Rifles. This move, coupled with the expanded role of CAPFs, showcases India’s focus on security and development.
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