Eastern Frontier Rifles

Eastern Frontier Rifles
Active 1795–present
Country

East India Company
British Raj British India (1873-1947)

India India
Allegiance India
Branch West Bengal Police
Type Paramilitary
Size 3,000
Part of EFR HQ
3 Battalions
Garrison/HQ Salua
Nickname(s) EFR
Engagements World War I
World War II
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Bangladesh Liberation War
Naxalite Movement

The Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) are a State Armed Police Force for West Bengal in the West Bengal Police jurisdiction (i.e. as opposed to the Kolkata jurisdiction). They are a part of the West Bengal Police. Note the Border Guards Bangladesh are descended from the portion of the Eastern Frontier Rifles given to Pakistan on the partition in 1947.

The Eastern Frontier Rifles were founded as the Frontier Protection Force by the East India Company at some point in the second half of the eighteenth century, and have had their current title since 1920. The Eastern Frontier Rifles fought in the Second World War, and as the Bengal Military Police, in the First World War.

In 1947, when India and Pakistan became independent, the force was split between the Indian state of West Bengal, and Pakistan. The Pakistani part became the East Pakistan Rifles, which became the Bangladesh Rifles when Bangladesh became independent, and Border Guards Bangladesh in 2010. The West Bengal part retained its title of Eastern Frontier Rifles.

History

In Short Brief Past and Present of EFR

On 1 February 1910, the Silchar and Garo Hills Battalions were amalgamated with Dacca Battalion. Subsequently the same year a detachment of 100 men was raised at Barisal and thus a full-fledged battalion with the strength of one Commandant, four Assistant Commandants, eight Subedars, eight Jamadars, 66 Havildars, and 664 Sepoys and Buglers came into existence at Dacca Headquarters with detachments at Tura, Silchar and Barisal. In 1911 for the first time the battalion participated in military operations in the Mishmi Mission. In November 1911 a Battalion school Headquarters with a staff of one whole-time teacher was sanctioned and started functioning. Owing to the repartition of Eastern Bengal and Assam and consequent on the Delhi Darbar Announcement many changes took place in the battalion in 1912. The Silchar and Garo Hills detachment were transferred to the Assam Government with effect from 1 November. As a result of this battalion was decreased and it became First Bengal Military Police Battalion. The composition of the Force was now the Commandant, two Assistant Commandants, one Subedar Major, three Subedars, four Jamadars, 39 Havildars and 664 Sepoys and Buglers.

During the early part of the year 1912 this battalion received the thanks of the local government For the excellent and arduous duties performed in connection with the guarding of extremist prisoners. The Mishmi mission detachment returned at the end of February 1912 and later received thanks of his Majesty's Imperial Government for the excellent work done by it. In January His Excellency the Viceroy Lord Hardinge complimented the Battalion and mounted escort for their smartness and also remarked upon the excellent playing of the band. Mr. Hughes Buller, Inspector-General of Police, also put a complimentary notice in the Police Gazette in connection with the above, congratulating the battalion on its smartness and on the role it had played in ensuring the success of His Excellency the Viceroy's visit. During the year Guards of Honour were presented by the Battalion to His Excellency the Governor of Bengal, Lord Carmichael. The battalion was also inspected by him on 16 July, when he pleased to make following remark: "I was much struck by their smart and soldiery appearance. They were physically cleaned and welled turned out and looked a well drilled lot of men."

In January 1913 as per order of the Bengal Inspector-General of Police, a detachment of the Battalion was sent to Naga Hills on an expedition. In the advance on Chenglong on 5 February the Baggage guard was attacked. As result, three sepoys of the Battalion were killed and three seriously injured. Congratulatory messages were received from his Excellency Lord Carmichael, Governor of the Bengal, and Mr. Hughes Buller, Bengal Inspector-General of Police, regarding the part the Battalion had played in the fighting during the capture of Chenglong. Major-General E.S. May wrote to the Inspector-General of Police, Bengal, with regard to the work of the Battalion during the Dacca concentration:

"The Battalion took part with the regular troops on all the combined field days. They marched well and were active and keen and their energy did not flag at the end of any of our long days in the field. Their training seemed to me to be good and efficient and carried out on the right lines. Under all circumstances the conduct of the men was excellent and they acquitted themselves in a disciplined soldier like manner. Service in the Lushai Expedition in 1888-1889 and in several minor expeditions since that date and now you have remained on the beyond the usual term, because your help was needed. Your superior officers speak in the highest terms of the work you have done during the changes which took place recently in the Dacca Military Police Battalion and your services were invaluable in raising the now coys. In 1914. You have the past received Honors, you were chosen to go to Darbar at Delhi in 1903 and again in 1911. The title of Sardar Bahadur has conferred on you and now, as I have said, it gives me great pleasure to."

Two detachment camps were set up at Buxadar and Hoogly in 1914 with two new companies sanctioned by the Secretary of the State for India. The Battalion force was detailed for Law and Order duty in connection with Komaghata Maru Sikhs Riots at Howrah and did excellent work in rounding up the rioters and earned thanks of the Punjab Government for the work and also from the Government of Bengal.

At the Police parade held at Dacca on 8 August, Subedar Major Gopal Chandra, Sardar Bahadur, was decorated with the insignia of the Order of the British India, 1st class, by his Excellency Lord Ronald Shay, Governor of Bengal, who in decorating him made the following remarks:

"It gives me great pleasure to decorate you with the Insignia of the Order of British India. 1st Class. In your case the service has extended over a period of nearly 40 years and for over 30 years out of the long term you have held the King's Commission, you have seen active decorate you with the Insignia of the Order of British India."

A report of the Police Administration in the Bengal Presidency stated:

"Good accounts have been received of the contingent serving with the Mesopotamia Expedition force where a Lance Naik Poli Ram has recently had been awarded the I.O.M. The Bengal Military Police furnished reinforcements for the regular Army at that time of National emergency. The officer and men so lent to the Army have been conspicuous for their soldierly gallant conduct in the field and their behaviour while serving in the regular army troops in the field has left nothing to be desired."

The Bengal Military Police won its present name "Eastern Frontier Rifles" in 1920 in appreciation of the war services rendered by it from the Government of India. The Eastern Frontier Rifles (Bengal Battalion) Act was passed the same year and the Eastern Frontier Rifles (Bengal Battalion) Regulations were issued in 1922. In 1921 the Battalion was recognized on the Platoon system. During the year 1923 the Battalion was given web equipment. Special mention should be made of the detachments that proceeded in 1930 to Chittagaon as a result of Armory Raid.

On 22 April they engaged the Raiders as the result of the action, 12 persons were killed and 29 police muskets and 2000 rounds of ammunition and many empty cases were recovered. Four of them were killed and two captured while six revolvers were recovered. The District Magistrate, Mymensingh, wrote to the Government of Bengal, saying that: "Eastern Frontier Rifles have been invaluable as usual. The mere fact of their presence is a valuable asset to District Authorities."

In 1937 the sanctioned strength of the Battalion was one Commandant, three Assistant Commandants, 8 Subedars, 8 Jamadars, 70 Havildars, and 753 other ranks. In 1938 a detachment of one platoon proceeded to Rampore state in Orissa on special duty. The battalion continued to impress the authorities through their services in controlling communal riots, in suppressing violent hostiles and extremists, in guarding dangerous prisoners during peace time, and in fighting shoulder to shoulder with Indian Army during the wars. The battalion also became renowned for its impressive ceremonial parades and was given the privilege of furnishing guards of honour, house guards and escorts to the Viceroys and other dignitaries. In December 1941 a St. Johns Ambulance Division was formed in the Battalion for the first time.

This Battalion was shifted from Dacca to Hijli on 1 September 1947. On 14 July 1951 it was shifted from Hijli to Salua in the district of Midnapur where the Eastern Frontier Rifles are stationed at present. After independence of India the Eastern Frontier Rifles continued with their traditions of loyalty, sincerity and gallantry and effectively participated in various operations, whenever and wherever called upon.They were deployed whenever serious communal riots broke out in the state, as also whenever the Civil Police found itself unable to suppress the various violent elements defying the authority of the state and endangering the life and property of the citizens of India. Before 1956 the duties performed by the Eastern Frontier Rifles Battalion were in connection with the communal troubles and border skirmishes. It was deployed within the state of West Bengal. In 1956 the Battalion was deputed to Manipur and the Naga Hills for suppression of the Naga insurgency. The government was reluctant to deploy the Army for various reason at the initial stages; on the other hand, they wanted a strong police action in the area. Subsequently the Eastern Frontier Rifles was attached to the 11th Indian Army, when the Army moved in. The forced performed their duties with commendable courage and devotion and with fortitude under very difficult circumstances. The EFR had four casualties and in 1961 the Indian Army moved in so the force was withdrawn. Besides their deployment in the Naga Hills, the Eastern Frontier Rifles had performed as well as Border Security Duties. Most of the border with East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) was under macerated and therefore flexible. The border rules and regulations were also in a fluid state. So there were occasional skirmishes along the border. In 1950 in Dhatupara in Nadia District there was encounter with the Pakistan Force. The exchange of fire continued for about a week, resulting casualties on both the sides. EFR lost one Naik and one riflemen. With the taking over of the border by the Border Security Force, the Eastern Frontier Rifles was withdrawn from the Indo-Pak Border.In 1962, when India's border skirmishes with China developed into a war, the question of internal security also came to the forefront and once again eyes went towards the Eastern Frontier Rifles and 2nd Battalion was raised to keep peace in state and country which is too stationed in Salua. Even in June 1982 the services of four companies of EFR battalions were placed at the disposal of the Bihar Government to remain as a striking Reserve Force during the General Assembly Election of Bihar. Their services were appreciated by all.

Awards and honours

On 15 October 1911 Subedar Major Gopal Chandra with two Havildars and ten sepoys attended the Delhi Darbar to receive medals. 20 Abor Medals were given to the men who had been engaged in operations under the command of Major General Bower. Subedar Major Gopal Chandra Kharag Singh had the order of the British India conferred on him in December 1912 and in the same year Subedar Kharag Singh received the King's Police Medal for long and meritorious service.

In 1914 in recognition of good work done in the Naga Hills expeditions the King's Police Medal was awarded to Captain E.D. Dallas Smith, Lance Naik Mohan Chandra, Sepoy Dhanjoi Ram and Havildar Dhaga Ram.

In 1917, Lance Naik Pholi Ram was awarded I.O.M. Second Class while serving in the Indian Army at Mesopotamia. Owing to the excellent work done by Shri P.C. Dutta, Head Clerk, E.F.R. Battalion in the interest of the Battalion since it was raised and on the recommendation of the Commandant the title of "Raisaheb" was conferred on him in the Birthday Honours List 1922. Subedar Major Daga Ram Kachari was made a "Sardar Bahadur" in January 1925, for his good services. Sardar Bahadur Subedar Major Ganesh Bahadur Chhetri was made a member of the Order of the British Empire in the Birthday Honours List 1931. In 1939, the title of "Sardar Bahadur" was conferred on Subedar Major Bistu Ram in the New Years Honours List. Major Weleb, Assistant Commandant, and Subedar Harka Bahadur Lama received the Indian Police Medal in 1939.

The Indian Police Medal was also awarded to the following personnel after independence:

The Eastern Frontier Rifles Band

Though a Buglers were appointed in 1907 in the Dacca Battalion of the Eastern Bengal and Assam Military Police which was renamed as EFR Battalion later on, they did form a part of the Band Party of EFR. In 1920, 20 Gorkhas were discharged sepoys of Gurkha Regiments stationed at Dehra Dun, Dharamsala were recruited for the Band and one as Bugler. In 1909, six gorkhas were enlisted for the Band and one as Bugler. During the part of the year 1912, this Battalion received thanks of the local Government for the excellent and arduous duties performed by it and was presented with a set of six bagpipers by Charles Bayley, Lieutenant-Governor of Eastern Bengal and Assam in recognition of their excellent services. The Band of the EFR 1st Battalion is known as the State band of the West Bengal Government. Its splendid performance on the occasion of Combined Police Parade, Republic Day Parades, State functions at Raj Bhavan and in honour of visits of foreign Dignitaries like the Emperor of Ethiopia, Prime Ministers of the People's Republic of China, Poland, Rumanian People's Republic, Argentina, Queen Elizabeth II, King of Nepal, President of Indonesia and others were appreciated by all persons who were present on those occasions. Whenever any state function is held in West Bengal, the services of this band party are requisitioned for putting up a good show. Ex. Sub. Surbir Gurung of this Battalion represented West Bengal in All India Championship in Shooting Competition in 1958 and National Championship shooting competition in 1959 held at Calcutta, New Delhi and Bangalore respectively and won 1st and 2nd Prizes. In sports also the performance of the EFR personnel is always reckoned with: Sub. Major Tiken Ram Kachari and Naik/Sub. Saban Ram Kachari of this Battalion are well known figures in the field of hockey who attained recognition of the national level. Naik Bachpan Lohar and Rifleman Anil Rava of the Eastern Frontier Rifles 1st Battalion represented West Bengal for Agha Khan Gold Cup in 1977. Shri Bir Bahadur Chhetri who represented India in the Olympic hockey tournament in 1976 and 1980 at Montreal and Moscow respectively was Lance Naik of this Battalion. Occasional cultural functions with traditional dances and music are being organised in the Battalion for the recreation of the Eastern Frontier Rifles personnel and for the members of their families.

Extra-Curricular activities

Important Tactical Training Courses are being organised in the Battalion. Even recently Tactical-cum-Security Training Courses were conducted at the Battalion in which about 100 officer's and men from the Rank of Dy.S.Ps to Havildars. The Eastern Frontier Rifles Battalions have got a number of crack shots. As a result, the Battalions almost every year become champions in shooting competitions either in the Brigade or in the State. In 1981 and 1982 also this Battalion won the H.N. Gupta Memorial Challenge Cup as the best team in West Bengal in inter-district and inter-unit revolver shooting competition amongst all police teams in West Bengal. At present still in sleepy Salua not like the armed police forces of many states, the EFR are currently challenged with the Naxalite insurgency. In February 2010 an EFR camp called Silda was attacked and burnt down by Maoist rebels, resulting in 24 riflemen killed out of a detachment of about fifty. This resulted in condemnation of the state government by the EFR Special Inspector General, Benoy Chakraborty, who claimed his force was "miss-used" and "ill-treated".[1] Morale in the force is believed to be low. In short and sweet, the Eastern Frontier Rifles continues to be prized possession. And in 1984 once again the new Battalion was inaugurated to make a strength and Pride for Battalion continues which is located in Salua with the mother Battalion.

References

  1. ↑ Shukla, Saurav (20 February 2010). "Eastern Frontier Rifles misused, ill-treated". TopNews. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
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