'Missing the Doctrine of Gratitude' !! :: Manipur ambush on selfless 'Flood Relief Workers' of Assam Rifles is a case of betrayal of the very spirit of compassion

It's impossible for a society or any organisation and a 'security system' to predict every wrong that will be done by mischievous and ill-intended people.  

The Assam Rifles, deployed across Manipur (like any other state in the north east of India) have been relentlessly working to restore peace and stability amidst ongoing inter-community tensions. 

DG Assam Rifles, Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera and all ranks of Assam Rifles pay solemn tribute to two brave hearts !!

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Their operations, conducted in close coordination with local police, target insurgent elements and anti-national miscreants who thrive on extortion and fear of the common people. These soldiers have consistently demonstrated restraint and professionalism, even in volatile environments where civilian safety remains paramount.  

Nb Sub (GD) Shyam Gurung (East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya) 'made supreme sacrifice'

This act of Sept 19 (2025) at Nambol - not far from Imphal - driven by malice and hate, targeted men who had spent their day providing flood relief to the very communities now mourning their sacrifice. 

    Rifleman (GD) Ranjeet Singh Kashyap (Bastar, Chhattisgarh) - Martyr 

In a tweet - Assam Rifles and Defence forces said : 

" We bow in deepest respect to Nb Sub (GD) Shyam Gurung (East Khasi Hills, #Meghalaya) & Rifleman (GD) Ranjeet Singh Kashyap (Bastar, Chhattisgarh) of #Assam Rifles, who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty at Bishnupur, #Manipur 

🫡 Their courage will inspire generations. #India stands with their families in this hour of grief." 

One can easily say that it was 'deeply disheartening' that a cowardly attack was perpetrated under the cover of darkness in a "De-notified AFSPA zone" — an area where retaliation could have endangered innocent lives. 

This was not just an attack on a unit—it is an affront to the spirit of service, compassion and unity that Assam Rifles embodies. 

Hopefully, the society by and large, intellectuals including the local media in particular and the people of Manipur will rise to the occasion. 

It may be time now to "expose the perpetrators". 

And as well - such wrong doers should be named and shamed. It is these kinds of people who seek to 'destabilize peace'. 

Let not their cowardice go unanswered -- if one say little assertively. 

For the people of Imphal, people of Manipur and the rest of India -- it is time to stand together — not just in grief, but in resolve. 

Let us honor the Assam Rifles not only with words, but with action. Let their sacrifice ignite a movement for justice, unity, and enduring peace.  

It may be pointed out for the knowledge and consumption of a larger audience; that most often going beyond their security mandate, the Assam Rifles have emerged as a transformative force in Manipur’s social landscape. 

They are called 'Friends of the Hill people' -- not without good reasons. 

Their efforts to combat drug trafficking, illicit liquor trade, and substance abuse have been instrumental in protecting the youth and nurturing a healthier society. 

Their role in securing the Indo-Myanmar border—often in treacherous terrain and remote outposts—underscores their unmatched dedication and grit.

What truly sets Assam Rifles apart is their humanitarian outreach. 

From flood relief and medical aid to clean water initiatives and solar lighting, their benevolent acts have touched countless lives. 

Their commitment to inclusive development is evident in their support for skill-building, education, and cultural engagement—empowering young minds across all communities and genders.

It is therefore unconscionable that such a heinous act was committed against these very men who had spent their day providing flood relief to affected citizens. The timing and location of the attack—designed to prevent retaliation and maximize harm—reveal a malicious intent that must be condemned in the strongest terms.

ends