Assam Rifles and the United Service Institution (USI) of India organised the first Assam Rifles Martyrs’ Memorial Webinar on the subject ‘Assam Rifles’ Role in the Act East Policy in the backdrop of North East Security Calculus’.
Maj Gen BK Sharma, Director USI of India, initiated the webinar with welcome remarks and explained the strategic paradigm of the North East, Act East Policy and the role of Assam Rifles in brief.
Lt Gen Sukhdeep Sangwan, Director General of Assam Rifles, articulated upon the historical aspects of Assam Rifles, including active contribution in both World Wars and involvement in major conflicts and wars of independent India. He also laid emphasis on the ongoing security situation in the North East and Assam Rifles’ role in maintaining peace in the region. He briefly explained the dynamic involvement of the force in civic action projects across the North East, including contributions in countering Covid-19 and the role of the force in furthering the initiatives of the central government.
Former Chief of the Army Staff, General (Retd) Bikram Singh, also delivered a talk on the subject.
The General paid homage to Assam Rifles martyrs and dwelled upon the historical aspects of the North East, present security scenario and the emerging future dynamics of the region. He highlighted the role of Assam Rifles in improving the security situation in the North East and being an important spoke in furthering the aims of the Act East Policy.
The address by General Singh was followed by a question and answer session. Over 500 serving and retired officers from the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, central armed police forces and civil dignitaries took part.