Assam Rifles officers review security in northeast

Top officers of the Assam Rifles, the oldest paramilitary force in India, Thursday began a two-day conference to analyse the security situation in the northeastern states.

The brainstorming session was held at the Assam Rifles headquarters hereofficers.

The meeting, inaugurated by Assam Rifles chief Lt. Gen. Ranbir Singh, was also attended by army officials from the army headquarters and Kolkata-based Headquarters Eastern Command.

"We have reviewed and analysed the security situation in the region. The situation in the northeast is overall peaceful apart from Manipur," a senior Assam Rifles official told IANS on condition of anonymity.

The Assam Rifles Commanders Conference is a bi-annual event, aimed at analysing the operational, training and administrative arrangements with a view to ensure highest degree of efficiency of the force.

The Assam Rifles official said they also reviewed the recent security developments in Nagaland.

On Dec 30, thousands of tribal Sumi Nagas armed with armed with spears, machetes and shotguns set ablaze a camp of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) faction, forcing the rebels to evacuate the camp at Mukalimi village in Zunheboto district.

The NSCN (I-M) and its rival Khaplang faction has been collecting "tax" since their split in 1988. This was the second time the outfit has faced public ire.

Lt.Gen. Ranbir Singh congratulated all commanders of the force for their outstanding performance.

He also exhorted all participants to carry out an appraisal of operational and administrative issues during the conference for long-term betterment of Assam Rifles.