Context:
Manipur Police have registered a criminal case against the Assam Rifles.
About Assam Rifles:
- Oldest paramilitary force in India.
- Central Paramilitary Force under Central Armed Police Forces.
- Formed in 1835 as the ‘Cachar Levy’.
- Initially established to safeguard British Tea estates and settlements from tribal raids.
- Admin control: Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Operational control: Indian Army, Ministry of Defence.
- Roles played –
- Served in Sino-India War 1962.
- Operated in Indian Peace Keeping Force, Sri Lanka 1987.
- Maintains law and order in Northeast with Indian Army.
- Guards Indo-Myanmar border in the region.
- Referred to as ‘Sentinels of the Northeast’.
- Headquarters: Shillong, Meghalaya.
About Meira Paibis:
- Women torch bearers – women’s social movement in Manipur.
- Originated in 1977, Kakching district, Manipur.
- Nomenclature – Torches carried during street marches.
- Other Name –Imas or Mothers of Manipur (Meitei women)
- No rigid hierarchy or structure.
- Aim – To combat alcoholism, drug abuse and to address human rights violations.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year question
With reference to India, the terms ‘Halbi, Ho and Kui’ pertain to
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims]
(a) Dance forms of Northwest India
(b) Musical instruments
(c) Pre-historic cave paintings
(d) Tribal languages
