In a recent seven-day camp organized by the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal in Mornoi village, Darrang District, Assam, approximately 350 young men aged between 18 and 30 received training on handling arms, including small guns. The camp, held from July 24 to July 30, also covered various aspects such as martial arts, survival skills, quick thinking, politics, Vedic rituals, ideological orientation, and hand-to-hand combat.

While speaking to media persons, the organization informed that the training aims to prepare its members for self-defense in the face of any potential civil strife-like situation or attacks by suspected jihadis.

The training instructors included a retired CRPF officer and a retired civil servant, hailing from Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. In addition, some retired government officials from Assam volunteered to train the youth, focusing particularly on survival skills and martial arts.

It’s worth noting that this kind of arms training is reportedly being conducted in various parts of India, with plans to organize more such programs in suspected Bangladeshi-dominated areas in Assam. Rashtriya Bajrang Dal has been conducting similar training since 2018, with six camps held so far in locations like Tamulpur, Hojai, Dhubri (twice), Nalbari, and Mangaldoi. In total, 2,400 cadres have received training in these camps.

While the organization claims the camp is for self-defense and combating potential threats, there have been concerns about the potential implications of such training.