THE NAGA REGIMENT

THE NAGA REGIMENT

The Naga Regiment is the youngest Regiment of the Indian Army. The Nagas were quite well represented in the Assam Regiment and they also had access to other arms and services. During 1960, the delegation of the Naga Peoples Convention put forward a proposal for a separate regiment to fulfil their desire of playing a greater role in the Defence Forces of India. First Battalion (1 Naga) of the Regiment was raised at the Kumaon Regimental Centre, Ranikhet on November 1, 1970. Being the only battalion, it was then designated as the Naga Regiment. 69 Nagas were enrolled directly from rehabilitation camps of underground Nagas. However, the Regiment was to comprise 50% Nagas and 50% of an equal number of Kumaoni, Garhwali and Gorkhas. Since many Kumaon battalions had been associated with Nagaland, particularly in the years preceding the raising of the Naga Regiment, it was affiliated to the Kumaon Regiment for all regimental matters. The second battalion (2 Naga) was raised on February 11, 1985 at Haldwani. Its Regimental Centre is Ranikhet, Uttar Pradesh and its Regimental insignia is a pair of crossed Naga spears and a dah (a cutting weapon used in Nagaland), with a shield bearing a ‘mithun’ (deer) head. Its Regimental motto is ‘Parakramo Vijayate’ (Valour Triumphs) and its war cry is ‘Jai Durga Naga’ (Victory to Mother India).