Assam Rifles boosts Manipur outreach: 400+ youth reached in 2 days
Synopsis
As ethnic tensions continue to shadow Manipur, the Assam Rifles reached over 400 students and residents across Pherzawl and Churachandpur in a two-day outreach blitz — combining motivational sessions, a military equipment display, film screenings, and a yoga drive. The effort signals a deliberate push to rebuild civil-security trust in some of the state's most remote communities.
Key Takeaways
Assam Rifles conducted community outreach across Manipur on 22 and 23 May 2025 .
Nearly 200 residents attended the Thanlon programme in Pherzawl district , roughly 130 km from Churachandpur.
Around 200 students of Hill Academy, Phaibem village participated in a military equipment display and screening of film 'IKKIS' .
75 students attended a yoga session at Assam Rifles Public School, New Keithelmanbi ahead of the 12th International Day of Yoga .
Initiatives aimed at promoting education, discipline, and trust between security forces and local communities.
The Assam Rifles conducted a series of community outreach programmes across Manipur on 22 and 23 May 2025, reaching over 400 residents including students and youth, officials said. The initiatives, spanning Pherzawl and Churachandpur districts, were aimed at inspiring young people to pursue education, adopt disciplined lifestyles, and build trust between security forces and local communities.
Outreach at Thanlon, Pherzawl District
On Thursday, Assam Rifles personnel held an outreach programme at Thanlon, a remote village in Pherzawl district situated approximately 130 km from the district headquarters of Churachandpur. Nearly 200 local residents, including students and youth, participated in the event. A senior Assam Rifles official engaged with village elders and community leaders on issues of regional development, education, and youth opportunities. A motivational session encouraged students to pursue discipline and contribute to nation-building. An exhibition football match for both boys and girls was also organised to promote sportsmanship and unity. Local residents reportedly expressed appreciation for the engagement and conveyed a sense of security arising from such interactions.
Hill Academy Programme in Churachandpur
On Friday, the Assam Rifles organised an interactive programme for approximately 200 students of Hill Academy at Phaibem village in Churachandpur district. The event featured a display of military equipment and gear, generating curiosity and offering students a clearer understanding of security force operations. This was followed by a screening of the inspirational film 'IKKIS', intended to instil values of patriotism, discipline, courage, and dedication. The Assam Rifles also arranged safe transportation for participating students, a gesture officials said further strengthened community goodwill.
Yoga Session Ahead of International Day of Yoga
Separately, at Assam Rifles Public School in New Keithelmanbi, a yoga session was held for 75 students as part of the build-up to the 12th International Day of Yoga. Trained instructors guided students through postures, breathing exercises, and meditation techniques, emphasising physical fitness, mental well-being, and stress management.
Broader Context and Significance
This comes amid an extended period of ethnic tension in Manipur that has strained civil-security relations in several districts. The Assam Rifles' sustained community engagement in remote and conflict-affected areas is part of a broader effort to rebuild trust and provide positive pathways for youth in a region where instability has disrupted schooling and livelihoods. Notably, the outreach covered both hill and valley communities, signalling an intent to engage across the state's ethnic divide. The Assam Rifles said it will continue such initiatives to motivate young minds and reinforce harmony across Manipur.
Point of View
The Assam Rifles' sustained presence in remote hill districts fills a vacuum that neither state administration nor civil society has fully bridged. Yet the real measure of these programmes is not attendance numbers but whether they translate into long-term de-escalation and youth disengagement from conflict. That data is rarely published, and without it, well-intentioned outreach risks being assessed only by its optics.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What community outreach did the Assam Rifles conduct in Manipur?
The Assam Rifles conducted a two-day outreach covering Thanlon in Pherzawl district and Phaibem village in Churachandpur district on 22 and 23 May 2025, reaching over 400 students and residents through motivational sessions, a military equipment display, a film screening, and a football match.
Where were the Assam Rifles outreach programmes held?
The programmes were held at Thanlon village in Pherzawl district, Phaibem village (Hill Academy) in Churachandpur district, and Assam Rifles Public School in New Keithelmanbi, all in Manipur.
What was the yoga session about and who attended?
A yoga session for 75 students was organised at Assam Rifles Public School in New Keithelmanbi as part of preparations for the 12th International Day of Yoga. Trained instructors covered postures, breathing exercises, and meditation, focusing on physical fitness and mental well-being.
Why is the Assam Rifles conducting outreach in Manipur?
The outreach is aimed at inspiring youth to pursue education and healthy lifestyles while strengthening trust between security forces and local communities. It comes amid prolonged ethnic tensions in Manipur that have strained civil-security relations across several districts.
What is the film 'IKKIS' that was screened at the outreach event?
'IKKIS' is an inspirational film screened for students of Hill Academy at Phaibem village, chosen for its themes of patriotism, discipline, courage, and dedication as part of the Assam Rifles' effort to motivate young people in Churachandpur district.
