Over 850 women cadets inducted into Assam Rifles

Kohima: At least 868 new rifle female recruits marched in perfect rhythm during the Passing out Parade (POP) at the Assam Rifles Training Center and School (ARTCS) in Shokhovi, Dimapur District, and Nagaland on Wednesday.

The special certification parade was held to mark the completion of 44 weeks of gruelling training in combat craftsmanship, weapons handling, jungle lane shooting and other counter-insurgency operations.

An Assam Rifles official said the POP was unique as it recruited only women and the parade was led by Major Sita Shelke, a female officer posted in the ARTCS.

The new passout rifle women will now join their respective units in all frontline duties, the official said.

The passing out parade was inspected by Arunachal Pradesh Governor Arunachal Pradesh, Brigadier (retd) Dr. BD Mishra in the presence of Director General of Assam Rifles Lt. Gen. PC Nair and other senior officers of Indian Army and Assam Rifles.

Addressing the recruits, the Governor recalled the rich history of the Assam Rifles as the country’s oldest paramilitary force and its diverse role in counter-insurgency in the Northeast.

The governor added that he was happy to participate in this unique POP which had only women and was probably the highest number of women passing out from any academy or training center in the country.