By M S Nazki
The aim is fixed of Assam Rifles! Other than guarding the borders of North East which is the primary role! The secondary one is to help the people of North East? This story is tilted towards the secondary role!
I will begin this story on a different note:
The green trucks of the Assam Rifles were as familiar to the hills of my childhood as the tall bamboo groves and the sudden heavy monsoon rains. Growing up in a quiet town nestled in the folds of the Northeast, the men and women in olive and camouflage weren’t just symbols of security; they were part of the rhythm of our lives. I remember watching them march down the winding red-dirt roads, their boots keeping a steady beat that echoed against the blue hills. My grandmother always called them the Sentinels of the North East, guardians who knew the temperament of these misty mountains better than anyone else. When the women soldiers—the riflewomen—first arrived in our district, everything shifted for me. I watched a young riflewoman with a warm smile and steady watchful eyes help an elderly neighbor carry her heavy basket of firewood across a swollen stream. She wore her uniform with fierce grace, her hair tied back neatly beneath her beret. In her, I didn’t just see a soldier; I saw a sister, a protector who belonged to these very hills. They walked the dense jungle paths and stood guard at remote outposts, yet they always had a kind word for the village children playing by the roadside. Years later, when a little boy from our wider valley went missing and was found alone on a distant train, it was an alert Assam Rifles rifleman who spotted him and brought him safely to an outpost, turning a family's darkest nightmare into a tearful reunion. Sitting by my window with a cup of steaming red tea, watching the evening fog roll over the emerald peaks, I realized why these hills feel safe. It is because of the quiet patient footsteps of those who watch over us, day and night, keeping the heart of the Northeast beating in peace.
Handing over ceremony of critical care ambulance BY Y INDUSIND BANK to IndusInd Bank handed over a state-of-the-art Critical Care Ambulance to Assam Rifles, at HQ DGAR, Laitkor, Shillong in the presence of Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, AVSM, SM, Director General Assam Rifles and Mr Manish Verma, Regional Head, Government Banking Group, IndusInd Bank. The Critical Care Ambulance will significantly strengthen the emergency medical response and critical care evacuation capabilities of Assam Rifles. It will also be utilised to provide timely and life-saving medical assistance to the civil population, particularly in remote and under developed areas. This initiative reflects the shared commitment of Assam Rifles and IndusInd Bank towards enhancing healthcare support, saving lives and serving the community.
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Assam Rifles provides essential healthcare, free medical camps, and emergency humanitarian assistance to remote and underserved communities across Northeast India.
Recent Healthcare Initiatives (August 2026)!
Mega Multi-Specialty Camp at Pallel: Organized a large camp in Kakching District, Manipur, with EPIC Multi speciality Hospital, providing cardiology, genecology, and paediatric consultations to 775 civilians.
Medical Outreach in Nagaland & Assam: Conducted multiple free check-up camps in Tening, Jalukie, and Sribhumi, distributing free medicines and hygiene guidance.
Emergency Response & Vector Control: Provided emergency care for snake-bite victims in Noney, Manipur, and executed anti-dengue fogging drives in Chandel.
Community Welfare: Facilitated voluntary blood donation drives and assisted elderly patients in accessing specialized treatment.
Assam Rifles provides free primary healthcare, specialist consultations, and emergency referrals to local communities across remote and underserved areas of the Northeast through regular and multi-specialty medical camps.
Key Medical Services Provided Primary Health Check-ups:
General medical examinations and diagnosis of common seasonal, respiratory, and skin ailments.
Specialist Consultations: Expert medical advice from visiting doctors in fields like cardiology, paediatrics, dermatology, genecology, orthopaedics, and ophthalmology.
Free Medicine Distribution: Dispensing essential prescription drugs, vitamins, and basic medical supplies at no cost.
Health Awareness Sessions: Educational programs focused on personal hygiene, sanitation, proper nutrition, and first-aid.
Patient Referrals: Coordinating advanced diagnostics or specialized surgical care by transferring critical patients to nearby civil or partner
Assam Rifles organizes regular free medical and multi-specialty camps across remote and border regions of Northeast India and Jammu & Kashmir under its civic action programs and Operation Sadbhavana.
Key Theatres and Recent Activitie sAssam: Conducted targeted medical outreach, such as a camp in Narayanpur (Sribhumi district) benefiting over 450 patients, and prior initiatives in Dima Hasao.
Manipur: Organized mega multi-specialty health camps (such as at Pallel in Kakching district with specialized consultants) alongside localized relief camps in remote hill sectors like Tamenglong and Chandel.
Nagaland: Routinely holds rural and border health drives, including elderly-focused check-ups in Meluri, and specialized programs across Kiphire, Peren, and Phek.
Arunachal Pradesh & Jammu-Kashmir: Reaches isolated frontier settlements in Changlang and Longding, as well as high-altitude remote terrain in Doda district (J&K).
Services Provided General & Specialized Care: Free physical examinations, physician consultations, and referrals for advanced interventions.
Diagnostics: Blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar screening, and lifestyle-related illness checks (hypertension and diabetes).
Preventive Health: Free distribution of essential pharmaceuticals, sanitary utilities, and educational sessions regarding nutrition and personal hygiene.
The Assam Rifles regularly organises free medical and veterinary camps in remote and underserved areas of Jammu & Kashmir under civic action programs and Operation Sadbhavana.
Recent Medical Camps in J&K Mantrigam, Kupwara District: Conducted at Boys Higher Secondary School, benefiting 754 local civilians with basic diagnostics, medical consultations, and free medicines.
Thalela, Doda District: Organized multiple times by units like the 25th Battalion, focusing on free consultations and treatments for over 300 children and elderly residents.
Bhella, Puneja & Thalela, Doda District: Held a large mobile medical camp, in collaboration with the civil Primary Health Centre (PHC), providing care to 525 patients in terrain with limited road connectivity.
Hanch, Doda District: Conducted a comprehensive medical and veterinary camps especially for 6 Gujjars and Bakkarwal communities.
Dehra & Khankot, Doda District: Set up targeted medical and animal healthcare camps to assist villagers in remote, far-flung pockets of Doda.
Found alone on a train, Assam Rifles helps reunite missing Dimapur boy with family:
Assam Rifles personnel located a 10-year-old boy from Dimapur, Nagaland, who was found travelling alone on a train in Tripura, and helped reunite him with his family. The child, identified as Joseph Mao, was reported missing from Neisatuo Colony in Dimapur on Aug 22. According to Assam Rifles, Rifleman Lawrance Hrangkhawl spotted him on a moving train in Tripura the following day. The boy was carrying a school bag and had no adult accompanying him. When questioned, he was unable to provide his exact address or explain why he had boarded the train. Hrangkhawl alerted his superiors, the force said. The boy was taken to an Assam Rifles facility in Radhanagar, Tripura, where personnel worked to confirm his identity and trace his family. During the verification process, they found a social media post about a missing person identified as Joseph Mao, according to Assam Rifles. The personnel contacted the boy’s parents and informed them that he was safe. The matter was also reported to the local police for coordination, the force said. Assam Rifles said the intervention helped prevent potential harm to the child and brought relief to his family.
The Assam Rifles saved a two-year-old girl in Kamjong, Manipur, by organizing a fast helicopter rescue and expert medical care in April 2025. The Emergency Severe Accident: The toddler suffered a dangerous injury in a remote, hard-to-reach area of Manipur. Frightened Parents: Local medical help was too far away, and the family feared the worst for their child. The Rescue Operation Immediate Help: Troops from the Assam Rifles rushed to the scene to give the child crucial first aid. Air Evacuation: Soldiers quickly called in a military helicopter to transport the little girl over the difficult terrain. Specialized Care: The helicopter flew her directly to the Assam Rifles Military Hospital in Imphal for urgent paediatric treatment, saving her life.
IndusInd Bank is a major commercial bank in India that provides financial services to individuals, corporations, and government entities.
Key Facts About IndusInd Bank Founded: 1994 by S.P. Hinduja, starting operations after being inaugurated by then Union Finance Minister Manmohan Singh.
Name Origin: Inspired by the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation.
Network: Operates thousands of branches, banking outlets, and ATMs across India, alongside international representative offices.
Services: Offers retail banking, corporate banking, credit cards, vehicle loans, microfinance, and digital savings accounts. Established in 1994 by a platform conceived and promoted by Srichand P Hinduja along with members of Indian diaspora, the name ‘IndusInd Bank' was inspired by the Indus Valley Civilization one of the greatest cultural example of a combination of innovation with sound business and trade practices. Over the years, we have grown ceaselessly and dynamically driven by a zeal to offer our customers banking services at par with the highest quality standards in the industry.
The Assam Rifles, often called the "Sentinels of the Northeast," frequently act as first responders during natural disasters, medical emergencies, and community development tasks in remote areas.
Flood and Disaster Rescues Operation Jal Rahat in Manipur: When heavy monsoon rains caused severe floods and trapped hundreds of residents in the Imphal Valley, Assam Rifles personnel deployed motorboats and rescue columns to evacuate over 1,200 stranded people to safe relief camps.
Diyun Flood Evacuation: In Arunachal Pradesh's Changlang district, troops navigated dangerous floodwaters using specialized boats to rescue stranded students, teachers, and villagers from inundated areas.
Medical and Humanitarian Outreach Emergency Burn Treatment: At a remote unit hospital in Kamjong District, Manipur, medical staff provided urgent stabilization and life-saving care to a six-month-old infant suffering from severe facial burns.
Border Area Support in Vijaynagar: In remote regions of Arunachal Pradesh lacking standard public infrastructure or functioning distribution systems, the force utilizes air maintenance sorties to fly sick residents to hospitals and helps supply essential goods.
Nagaland. Skill Centers and Education: The force regularly runs civic action programs, such as establishing local tailoring and sewing machine centers for women's self-reliance and distributing study materials to underprivileged children.
So we approach the end of the story
The morning mist still hung heavy over the rolling hills of Haflong when Pinky Gogoi laced up her worn-out running shoes. At eighteen, her world was small, bounded by the financial struggles of her family and the limited opportunities in her remote Assamese village. She possessed a fierce talent for archery, but bows and arrows were expensive luxuries her family could not afford.
Her life changed the day the Assam Rifles, India’s oldest paramilitary force, organized a community outreach and sports talent hunt in her district. Known as the "Friends of the Hill People," the force was looking for raw talent to mentor. Pinky line up for the trials, her heart pounding. With a borrowed bamboo bow, she hit the bullseye three times in a row.
Captain Neha Sharma, scouting for the Assam Rifles sports regiment, noticed the fire in Pinky's eyes. Recognizing her immense potential, the officer didn't just praise her; she took action. The Assam Rifles formally adopted Pinky’s training, moving her to their state-of-the-art sports academy in Shillong.
Born in a remote village in Manipur, Ramesh faced limited opportunities. His family struggled daily to make ends meet. He possessed immense raw athletic talent but lacked proper guidance. Everything changed when the Assam Rifles hosted a talent hunt. The soldiers noticed his exceptional speed and endurance during a community sports outreach program. Recognizing his potential, the unit selected Ramesh for their specialized sports cadet program. Life at the Assam Rifles camp was intense. Ramesh woke up at 04:00 AM every day for rigorous physical training. The instructors provided disciplined coaching, proper nutrition, and mental conditioning. They taught him tactical discipline, resilience, and the importance of consistency. Under their strict mentorship, his raw talent transformed into precision skill. The turning point came during the National Youth Athletics Championship. Funded and sponsored by the regiment, Ramesh competed against the best runners in the country. He broke the national junior record in the 5000-meter race, securing a gold medal. His performance caught the attention of national selectors. Ramesh was soon inducted into the national sports academy. Within three years, he represented India on the international stage, winning a medal at the Commonwealth Games. Ramesh eventually returned to his village, not just as a champion, but as an inspiration. He credited his success entirely to the Assam Rifles, who saw a spark in a village boy and forged him into a national hero……………….
