India’s largest Central Armed Police Force, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is observing its ‘83rd Raising Day’ today. The day marks the immense and unparalleled contribution of the force in upholding the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of the nation.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to the force’s personnel and their families.
In a tweet, PM Modi lauded the CRPF personnel for their valor and professionalism and said that their contribution to the nation’s unity is unparalleled.
“Greetings to all courageous CRPF personnel and their families on the force’s Raising Day. The CRPF is known for its valor and professionalism. It has a key role in India’s security apparatus. Their contributions to further national unity are appreciable,” read one of the tweets of the Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, the CRPF also hailed its personnel and extended their best wishes on the occasion. “Best wishes to all the CRPF Bravehearts and their families on the 83rd CRPF Raising Day. With its glorious history as a guiding light, the force is resolutely committed to serve the nation with all its might,” the CRPF said on Twitter.
Genesis of CRPF
CRPF is India’s largest Central Armed Police Force, which operates under the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Headquartered in New Delhi, CRPF came into existence as the ‘Crown Representative’s Police’ on 27 July 1939.
After Independence, it became the Central Reserve Police Force on the enactment of the ‘CRPF Act’ on 28 December 1949, which constituted CRPF as an armed force of the Union. The then Home Minister Sardar Vallabh bhai Patel visualized a multi-dimensional role of the force in tune with the changing needs of a newly independent India. The CRPF Rules as envisaged in CRPF Act were framed in 1955 and V.G.Kanetkar became the first Director-General of CRPF.
After Independence, CRPF contingents were tasked to check infiltration and trans-border crimes in Kutch, Rajasthan, and Sindh borders. They were, subsequently, deployed on the Pakistan border in Jammu & Kashmir following Pakistan’s infiltration.
During the 1962 Indo-China war, the force once again assisted the Indian Army in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. Further, in 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars, CRPF provided shoulder-to-shoulder support to the Indian Army, both on the Western and Eastern borders.
CRPF’s glorious history showcases the gallant, glorious, and vibrant courage of the force. Its past is replete with pinnacle performance and success in many fields.
The coming of ‘ One Border One Force’
After the Kargil war, a high-level committee was constituted by the Indian government, which emphasized the multiplicity of forces on the same border and enforced the principle of ‘One Border One Force’.
Accordingly, the Indo-Pakistan border and Indo-Bangladesh border were given to Border Security Force (BSF), the Indo-Myanmar border was handed to Assam Rifles, the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan border is given to Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and the Indo-Chinese border was given to Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
Each of these forces has also been designated as the head intelligence agency for that particular border for sharing with the other paramilitary forces and the Indian Army for the synergistic coordination of all the operations.
As a part of this exercise, CRPF was mandated to secure the internal security scenario or dealing with counter-insurgency in the country.
CRPF’s role in UN Peacekeeping Missions
CPRF was the first paramilitary force in India, which sent its forces in the United Nations Peacekeeping Missions. For the first time, 13 companies of CRPF including a detachment of women were airlifted to join the Indian PeaceKeeping Force in Sri Lanka to fight the militant cadres. CRPF personnel were also sent to Haiti, Namibia, Somali4 Maldives, Kosovo and Liberia to deal with law and order situation there, as a part of another UN Peacekeeping Missions.
In the late 1970s, when the extremist elements disturbed peace in the states of Tripura and Manipur, CRPF battalions were pressed into action with full strength.
CRPF in the times of COVID-19
Despite the pandemic, the Jawans of security forces have set an example before the nation and the world by being alert during deployment on COVID-19 duty, without bothering for their own life and safety.
In addition to this, in selfless service to society as 80,000 personnel pledged organ donations and establishment of the National Centre for Divyang Empowerment. As nature warriors, a massive campaign was launched to plant more than 1.37 crore saplings of long lasting trees across the country.
CRPF has been relentlessly carrying on with all dedication and unique valour for more than 81 years now.
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