Central Reserve Police Force

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is the largest of India's Central Armed Police Forces. It functions under the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of the Government of India. The CRPF's primary role is to assist the State/Union Territories in police operations to maintain law and order and counter-insurgency.

History

The CRPF was originally constituted as the Crown Representative's Police on 27 July 1939. After Indian independence, it became the Central Reserve Police Force on 28 December 1949, upon the enactment of the CRPF Act.

Organization

The CRPF is headed by a Director General, who is an Indian Police Service officer. The force is divided into several zones, sectors, and ranges, each headed by an Inspector General. The CRPF has a number of specialized units, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF), the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), and the Parliament Duty Group.

Rapid Action Force (RAF)

The RAF is a specialized wing of the CRPF that deals with riot and crowd control. It was formed in 1991 and consists of 15 battalions.

Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA)

CoBRA is a specialized unit of the CRPF trained in guerrilla tactics and jungle warfare. It was established in 2008 to counter the Naxalite movement in India.

Functions

The CRPF is deployed in various parts of the country to maintain law and order, control riots, and counter insurgency. It also plays a significant role in election security, VIP protection, and disaster management.

Operations

The CRPF has been involved in numerous operations across India, including counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir, anti-Naxalite operations in central and eastern India, and peacekeeping missions in United Nations assignments.

Training

The CRPF has several training institutions, including the CRPF Academy in Gurugram, the Internal Security Academy in Mount Abu, and the Jungle Warfare School in Belgaum. These institutions provide training in various aspects of policing, counter-insurgency, and specialized operations.

Challenges

The CRPF faces several challenges, including dealing with insurgency, maintaining law and order in diverse and often volatile regions, and ensuring the safety and security of its personnel.

See also

• Border Security Force
• Indo-Tibetan Border Police
• Sashastra Seema Bal

References

• Official CRPF Website
• Ministry of Home Affairs

External links

• CRPF Official Website