Union Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju awarding a medal to one of the Recruits for excellence during the training at ARTC&S, Shokhuvi on May 19. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 19
Altogether, 233 Recruits including 22 Mahila Recruits were inducted into the Assam Rifles during an Attestation Parade held at the Assam Rifles Training Centre and School, (ARTC&S) Sukhovi (Shokhuvi) on Saturday.
Union Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju who addressed the gathering as the chief guest stressed on North East as a strategic area and its security of paramount importance. He highlighted the antecedents of the Assam Rifles as the oldest Para Military force in the country and its diversified role ranging from security to providing welfare and developmental assistance to the public. “The Assam Rifles is playing a stellar role in this regard,” he commented.
The Minister encouraged the Assam Rifles personnel to keep up the good name of the Force with hard work and dedication and keep their flag flying high in the true spirit of it being the “Sentinels of the North East” and “Friends of the Hill People.” Rijiju assured of looking into any issues or demands of the Assam Rifles at the home ministry.
He presented awards to the passing out recruits for their outstanding performance during the training. Rifleman (Rfn) Sameer Ojha was awarded the medal for Best All Round Recruit; Rfn Arun Singh, Rfn Hemant Khatiwada and Rfn Aashish Kumar Jena were awarded for Best in Firing; Rfn Shivanand Chauhan, Rfn CB Chhetri, Rfn H Abuto Sumi and Rfn Priya Praveen were awarded for Best in Drill while Rfn Pushpa Thapa, Rfn Aniket Tripathi, Rfn Champa Tirkey and Rfn Somya Ranjan Das were awarded for being the Best in Physical Training category.
Later, Rijiju visited the Lushai Company training area (Mahila Company) where he witnessed the training activities of Mahila Recruits. The Recruits displayed weapon handling, battle obstacle courses, bayonet fighting skills, ambush, counter ambush and demonstration on small team operations for conducting a raid on underground hideouts. He remarked that the robust training of Mahila recruits would empower them in different facets of professional and personal life besides making them capable of a worthy warrior. He also visited the NB Thapa Indoor Sports Complex, ARTC&S.
Later on, Rijiju addressed troops of the Centre during ‘Special Sainik Sammelan’ and appreciated the role played by Assam Rifles in ensuring security, peace and development of the North East Region. The Minister complimented Assam Rifles for its par excellence professional commitment which he added had been aptly illustrated by the laurels and the gallantry awards won by the force.
Earlier, upon his arrival at the helipad, the Union Minister was received by Lt General Sukhdeep Sangwan, SM and Bar, DGAR and Brig Gurjap Singh, Commandant ARTC&S and other officials of civil administration.
The attestation parade was attended by parents and guardians of the Recruits and a galaxy of AR officers and jawans.
