Source: Telegraphindia

November 2, 2011: Shillong-The Centre will sanction 26 additional battalions of Assam Rifles, headquartered in Shillong, to man the troubled India-Myanmar border.

The issue of deploying more Assam Rifles battalions along the border will come up for discussion during the three-day Assam Rifles Commanders Conference, which began here today.

The public relations officer, Assam Rifles, A.K. Choudhry, said there would be a special discussion on the border guarding role of Assam Rifles in view of the upcoming 26 additional battalions, which the Centre was likely to sanction in the near future for deployment along the Indo-Myanmar border.

After the crackdown on several Northeast militant groups operating in Bangladesh by the security forces in that country, many of them have taken shelter in Myanmar.

Besides the movement of the militant groups from the region, smuggling of arms and other contraband items continue to flow through the Myanmar border.

The three-day conference today also discussed the security issues concerning the Northeast.

Choudhry said the conference chaired by the director-general of Assam Rifles, Lt Gen. Rameshwar Roy, discussed the security environment, status of operational readiness and the appraisal of operational situation in the Northeast.

According to the PRO, issues, including modernisation of the force, the administrative and logistic aspects, would also come up for in-depth discussion as part of the overall review of the performance of Assam Rifles.

The important facets of civic action programmes and living up to the bestowed title of “Sentinels of North East” and “Friends of the Hill People” are also part of the agenda for discussion.

Lt Gen. Roy, in his inaugural address, asked the delegates to carry out an honest and critical self-appraisal for long-term betterment of the force.

The director-general appreciated the efforts of field commanders and their troops for largescale surrender of militants in the recent past, thereby enabling the misguided youths to join the mainstream and contribute to peace and stability in the Northeast.

He said in it’s 176 years of existence in the service of the people of the region, the Assam Rifles has always been able to achieve a fine balance in achieving it’s operational goals and living upto the credo of “Friends of the Hill People”.

“The challenge in front of the commanders is to sustain the same and improve further,” Lt Gen. Roy said.

Assam Rifles commanders at the conference in Shillong on Wednesday. Picture by UB Photos