In a region grappling with the rising menace of narcotics, the Assam Rifles has partnered with WATO Trust and the Mizoram Basketball Association (MBA) to roll out Project Brahmastra — an initiative that uses sports as a tool to combat drug addiction among youth in the Northeast.
Launched by Dr. Yogita Karache of Pune-based WATO Trust, the project aims to identify young sporting talent and engage them constructively, steering them away from the lure of narcotics.
Record Participation and Sporting Spirit
The project took off on October 14 with a large-scale basketball talent hunt in the presence of representatives from the Sports Authority of India (SAI). A record 94 teams registered for the event, breaking the previous record of 74 — reflecting the region’s growing enthusiasm for sports-led youth engagement.
During the tournament, participants were also introduced to the upcoming Mizo Territorial Army Recruitment Drive scheduled for November 25, offering them a path towards discipline, service, and purpose.
Grand Finale in Aizawl
The final of the basketball tournament was held on October 18 at Rajeev Gandhi Stadium, Aizawl, and was graced by Mizoram Governor General (Retd.) V.K. Singh.
Winners and runners-up were awarded cash prizes, while outstanding players received one-year scholarships, recognizing both skill and commitment.
Parallel Crackdown on Drug Trafficking
The initiative comes close on the heels of a major anti-narcotics success for Assam Rifles. In a joint operation with the Customs Department and Government Railway Police (GRP), security personnel seized a massive haul of illegal pharmaceutical drugs from a cargo train at Jirania Railway Station, West Tripura, on October 16.
The confiscated consignment included 90,000 bottles of Codeine Phosphate and Triprolidine Hydrochloride syrup, valued at around ₹4.5 crore in the illicit market. The items, found unclaimed and concealed among cargo, were handed over to Customs for further investigation.
Building a Drug-Free Northeast Through Sports
Project Brahmastra represents a powerful blend of social reform and community engagement, using sports to address addiction and unemployment — two of the biggest challenges facing the region’s youth.
As Assam Rifles continues to balance its security role with social outreach, initiatives like this underline the force’s evolving commitment: protecting borders while empowering the next generation.
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