CM Himanta highlights Veeranganas at Assam's Independence Day parade
Synopsis
On Independence Day 2026, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma spotlighted the Veeranganas — Assam Police's all-women commando unit — at the state parade. Trained in combat and weapons handling, the unit also mentors girls in self-defence across Assam, embodying Nari Shakti in action.
Key Takeaways
The Veeranganas , an all-women commando unit of Assam Police , featured prominently at the state's Independence Day parade on 15 August 2026 .
The unit is trained in combat, weapons handling, and commando skills — not a ceremonial corps but an operationally capable force.
Beyond policing, the Veeranganas run a self-defence mentoring programme for young girls across Assam.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma publicly highlighted the unit as one of the parade's standout moments, amplifying its visibility statewide and nationally.
The unit aligns with India's broader Nari Shakti policy push to increase women's representation in security and law-enforcement roles.
Other northeastern states may look to the Veeranganas model as a template for similar gender-inclusion initiatives within their police forces.
Steel nerves and disciplined ranks — Assam's all-women commando unit, the Veeranganas, drew one of the loudest moments at the state's Independence Day parade on Saturday, 15 August 2026, with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma singling them out as a highlight of the day's celebrations.
Who the Veeranganas are
The Veeranganas are an all-women commando unit operating under Assam Police, trained in combat, weapons handling, and commando skills. What sets them apart from a ceremonial corps is their dual mandate: operational readiness alongside active community outreach — specifically, mentoring young girls in self-defence across Assam. They are, in the truest sense, both force and example.
Nari Shakti in uniform, on the march
Indian states have steadily built all-women police units and specialised training programmes since the 2010s, aimed at raising female representation within security structures. Assam's Veeranganas sit at the sharper end of that trend — combining genuine commando capability with grassroots empowerment work, aligning squarely with the national Nari Shakti (women's power) framework championed at the Centre. A parade appearance is not just ceremonial; it is a statement of institutional legitimacy. These women are not support staff — they are the main column.
CM Sarma, as convenor of the North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) and the region's most prominent political figure, has consistently positioned Assam as a governance model for the northeast. Showcasing the Veeranganas on Independence Day — the most-watched civic moment in any state calendar — amplifies that signal well beyond Assam's borders.
The mentoring mission that multiplies impact
The unit's self-defence mentoring programme for girls across Assam gives the Veeranganas a reach that extends far beyond police stations or parade grounds. Every workshop, every training session in a school or community hall, is a point of contact between the state's security apparatus and the next generation of women. That is a deliberate policy choice — and one that other northeastern states may be watching closely as police recruitment cycles evolve.
On a day when the tricolour flies and the nation takes stock of how far it has come, the Veeranganas marching in formation offered a concrete, boots-on-the-ground answer to the question of what women's empowerment looks like when it is backed by a state's full institutional weight.
Point of View
Showcasing women in combat roles also sends a signal to neighbouring states that Assam is setting the regional benchmark. The broader arc here is the gradual mainstreaming of women into India's frontline security architecture — and Assam, with the Veeranganas, is making a visible claim to lead that conversation in the northeast.
NationPress
15 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Veeranganas unit of Assam Police?
The Veeranganas is an all-women commando unit of Assam Police trained in combat, weapons handling, and commando skills. The unit also runs self-defence mentoring programmes for young girls across Assam.
Why were the Veeranganas in the news on 15 August 2026?
The Veeranganas participated in Assam's Independence Day parade on 15 August 2026 and were highlighted by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as one of the event's standout moments.
What did CM Himanta Biswa Sarma say about the Veeranganas?
CM Sarma described the Veeranganas as 'one of the highlights' of the Independence Day parade, calling their work — combat training combined with mentoring girls in self-defence — 'Nari Shakti at its finest'.
What does the Veeranganas unit do beyond policing?
Beyond their commando training, the Veeranganas mentor young girls in self-defence across Assam, extending their impact from law enforcement into community empowerment.
How does the Veeranganas unit fit into India's Nari Shakti policy?
The Veeranganas align with India's national Nari Shakti framework, which promotes women's empowerment and representation in security and public-service roles. Assam's unit is among the more operationally advanced examples of this policy in the northeast.
