Assam Rifles troopers on tri-nation expedition to boost border ties

Assam Rifles, India's oldest central para-military force, is conducting a tri-nation motorcycle expedition involving India, Bangladesh and Myanmar to promote force-to-force and people-to-people relations as part of its 183rd Raising Day celebrations, an official said here.

The 2,150-km 19-day expedition will cover Bangladesh and Myanmar besides India's six northeastern states -- Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura.

Officers and soldiers from Assam Rifles with 14 motorcycles and support vehicles are participating in the event.

The 36-member team was flagged off from Meghalaya capital Shillong on October 30. It arrived in Agartala on Wednesday after covering several eastern districts of Bangladesh.

On Thursday, the teams left Agartala for southern Assam. After touring Manipur and Nagaland, it will go to Myanmar via Mizoram and reach Shillong on November 17, an Assam Rifles official said.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, who welcomed the expedition team at an event on Wednesday night, appreciated the efforts of Assam Rifles in bringing bonhomie between the three neighbours, and also for playing a significant role in ensuring security and stability in India's northeast.

With support from the high commissions and embassies of the respective countries, various other activities are being held, including offering homage at war memorials and graves of Indian soldiers on foreign soil enroute.

"They will also participate in cultural events and sightseeing in order to increase the interaction between the border guards of the three nations," the official added.

The expedition, while moving through the country, will interact with ex-servicemen and "Veer Naris" (brave women) at various stopover points. They will interact with students and youths to motivate them to join the armed forces, he said.

He said the route has been designed to spread the message of peace, harmony and national integration across the states and international border.

--IANS

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