HM Amit Shah, Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, DG CRPF S Thaosen attend the programme in Jagdalpur giving a loud message to naxals

Photo Credit : CRPF, CRPF, CRPF, CRPF, CRPF, CRPF, CRPF,

New Delhi, March 25

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrated the 84th CRPF day in a first at Jagdalpur of Chhattisgarh. The function organised at naxal affected region of Chattisgarh sent a loud message on the exemplary work of CRPF. 

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah was the chief guest of the event who also took the salute of the parade on the occasion.  HM Shah also inaugurated Prasar Bharati's news bulletin for the Bastar Division in the local language of Halbi.

In his address, Hm Amit Shah said that it is a matter of great joy for all of us as this day is being celebrated in Chhattisgarh for the first time after the establishment of CRPF and since the beginning of the problem of left wing extremism. 

He said that 763 CRPF personnel have made the supreme sacrifice during the drive to end Left Wing Extremism in Chhattisgarh. Today the fight against Left Wing Extremism is at a decisive stage, for which the martyred Jawans have made immense contribution.

hM Shah added that whether it is Jammu and Kashmir or bringing peace in the Northeast or fighting against Left Wing Extremism to bring development to the tribals, CRPF Jawans have displayed unparalleled valour and bravery in every field. He said that the golden history of CRPF in the field of internal security of the country has been marked by the spirit of bravery, valour and sacrifice of all the jawans. Shri Shah said that three development projects of CRPF worth Rs 174 crore have also been launched here today. 

He said that Akashvani has also started Prasar Bharati's weekly news bulletin in Halbi language from today. The Union Home Minister congratulated All India Radio and Doordarshan for starting the first news bulletin in tribal language in Chhattisgarh. He said that this will not only strengthen our local languages, but people living in this region will be able to get news of the world over and connect with the country and the world.

Amit Shah said that today, there is also a program of flag-in of CRPF women motorcycle team. These 75 women Jawans along with 38 motorcycles have reached here today after completing a journey of 1848 kilometers which they started on 09th March, 2023. He said that the bravery of these women Jawans will help in disseminating the message of Nari Shakti in the entire country.

The CRPF was established on 27 July, 1939, but the force was given its modern form by the Iron Man and the country's first Home Minister Sardar Patel. He said that on December 28, 1949, Sardar Patel renamed it as the Central Reserve Police Force and on March 19, 1950, he gave the insignia to this force. Shri Shah said that the force, which started with a single battalion is the biggest CAPF in the country today, with 246 battalions, 4 Zonal Headquarters, 21 Sector Headquarters, 2 Operational Sector Headquarters, 17 Operational Ranges, 42 Administrative Ranges and over 3.25 lakh personnel

The area of Bastar along with other districts in Chhattisgarh such as Sukma, Dantewada, and Bijawara have witnessed major attacks by Maoist groups in the past prompting the paramilitary force to launch counter-offensive operations.

In the CRPF, there are four zones – Jammu and Kashmir zone, Central Zone, the Northeast zone, and the Southern zone — each headed by a special director general. Under each zone, there are different sectors, each headed by an inspector general under whom there are several battalions. The Chhattisgarh sector comes under the administrative jurisdiction of the central zone.

The CRPF was entrusted with the task of anti-naxal operations there in 2003. There are six COBRA battalions in the Chhattisgarh sector. The Cobra battalion is a specialized force within the CRPF where personnel specializes in guerrilla warfare.