IROZABAD: Two bags containing nine firearms magazines and 180 cartridges were stolen here from a truck carrying arms and ammunition of Assam Rifles from New Delhi to Shillong, police said on Tuesday. The theft took place here on Sunday when the truck had stopped here on Jalesar Road for a night halt, Firozabad’s Additional Superintendent of Police M C Mishra said.
The theft was reported by Assam Rifles Unit 3 jawan Awadhesh Kumar, he said, adding an FIR was lodged on his complaint. Police are trying to solve the case, he added.
The Assam Rifles – a brief history
The Assam Rifles has a proud history dating back to 1835 when its precursor, Cachar Levy, was formed in the Northeast. Though it barely had 750 men, it proved its capability.
In 1870, it was expanded and rechristened Assam Military Police Battalion, with additional battalions. The force not only helped with law and order in the Northeast, but also took part in major British battles overseas during World War 1.
With the force proving it was second to none, it was renamed as Assam Rifles. This is where the dual structure was perhaps born because even as it continued to operate as a police force, the ‘Rifles’ tag indicated it was on a par with Army units.
