Assam Rifles

Why in news?

• Delhi High Court has given 12 weeks to the Centre to decide whether the force’s dual control structure should be retained or scrapped.

About Assam Rifles:

• The Assam Rifles is the oldest paramilitary force of India which traces its lineage back to a paramilitary police force that was formed under the British in 1835 called Cachar Levy.
• Besides maintaining law and order in the Northeast (a task it performs together with the Army), the Assam Rifles also guards the border with Myanmar in the region. 

Dual control structure of Assam Rifles:

• Assam Rifles is one of the six CAPFs that come under the Ministry of Home Affair’s administrative control.
• Since 1962 war, the battalions of the Assam Rifles were brought under the operational control of the Army or Ministry of defence.
• Because of its dual control structure, the posting, deployment and transfers are decided by the Army while the MHA provides the infrastructure and salaries.
• The other CAPFs the Border Security Force (BSF), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) are completely under MHA.

The Controversy:

• In November 2019, the MHA had called for the merger of the Assam Rifles with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and proposed that the former should serve under the operational control of the MHA.
• Army wants the Assam Rifles to be merged with it for streamlining national security and more efficiency.
• Most of the senior officer ranks of the Assam Rifles are held by the Army. The post of Director General of Assam Rifles is held by an Army Lieutenant General.
• The order of High court may finally lead to a settlement of the matter.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding Assam Rifles:
1.It was formed after the 1971 war with Pakistan.
2.The operational control of Assam rifles lies with the Army.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2 
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to prelims question