Why in News?
The Assam Rifles have twin responsibility of checking smuggling and also preventing illegal crossings into Mizoram along with overseeing the ambitious Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project.
About Assam rifles:
- Assam Rifles is a Central Paramilitary Force under the Central Armed Police Forces.
- It was formed in 1835, as ‘Cachar Levy’, to primarily protect British Tea estates and settlements against tribal raids.
- It also contributed to the opening of Assam region to administration and commerce during British period.
- It has served in both the World Wars.
- Today, the administrative control of Assam Rifles lies with the Ministry of Home Affairs, while the operational control is with the Ministry of Defence (Army).
Related Information:
The other Central Armed Police Forces:
- Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF):Responsible for Internal Security.
- Border Security Force: Responsible for guarding India’s land borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
- Central Industrial Security Force (CISF): Provides security cover to space establishments, nuclear installations, seaports, airports, power plants, sensitive Government buildings and even heritage monuments.
- Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP): A specialized mountain force and responsible for guarding Indo-China border.
- National Security Guard: A counter terrorism unit which was raised in 1984, following Operation Blue Star.
- Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB): Earlier called as Special Service Bureau was raised in 1960s. Their objective is to achieve ‘Total security preparedness’ in the remote border areas.