Central Reserve Police Force: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Indian national police force}}{{EngvarB|date=March 2014}}
{{Multiple issues|{{POV|date=December 2022}} {{Unbalanced|date=December 2022}} {{Advert|date=December 2022}} {{Peacock|date=December 2022}} {{Tone|date=December 2022}}}} {{Short description|Federal police force in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2014}}
 
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
|agencyname     = Central Reserve Police Force
| agencyname       = Central Reserve Police Force
|nativenamea    = केंद्रीय रिजर्व पुलिस बल
| commonname        =  
|abbreviation   = CRPF
| abbreviation     = CRPF
|logo           = [[File:Central Reserve Police Force emblem.svg|110px|frameless|Central Reserve Police Force emblem]]
| logo             = [[File:Central Reserve Police Force emblem.svg|110px|frameless|Central Reserve Police Force emblem]]
|flag           = [[File:Flag of Central Reserve Police Forces.png|150px|frameless|Flag of Central Reserve Police Forces]]
| flag             = [[File:CRPF Flag.svg|140px]]
|flagcaption   = CRPF emblem embroidered on sky-blue flag
| flagcaption       = CRPF emblem embroidered on the sky-blue flag
|logocaption   = CRPF Emblem
| logocaption       = CRPF Emblem
|motto         = "सेवा और निष्ठा"|mottotranslated=Service and Loyalty
| motto             = "सेवा और निष्ठा"
|formed         = {{Unbulleted_list|{{Start date|1939|07|27|df=yes}}<br>{{small|as Crown Representative's Police}}|{{Start date and age|1949|12|28|df=yes}}}}  
| mottotranslated   = Service and Loyalty
|preceding1     = [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]]
| formed           = {{Unbulleted_list|{{Start date|1939|07|27|df=yes}}<br />{{small|(as Crown Representative's Police)}}|{{Start date and age|1949|12|28|df=yes}}}}
|employees     = 313,634 Active personnel
| preceding1       = [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]]
|budget         ={{INRConvert|26197.90|c|1}} <small>(2021-22)</small><ref>{{cite web |title=Budget 2021: MHA gets ₹1,66,547 cr, majority for border forces, census ops|url=https://www.livemint.com/budget/news/budget-2021-mha-gets-1-66-547-cr-majority-for-border-forces-census-ops/amp-11612186863808.html|publisher=Mint|access-date=1 February 2021}}</ref>
| employees         = 313,634 Active personnel
|country       = INDIA
| budget           = {{INRConvert|29324.92|c}} (2022–23)<ref>{{Cite news|title=Rs 1.85 lakh crore allocation to MHA in budget|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/rs-1-85-lakh-crore-allocation-to-mha-in-budget/articleshow/89275279.cms|access-date=2022-02-01}}</ref>
|countryabbr   = IN
| country           = India
|governingbody = Ministry of Home Affairs (India){{!}}MHA |constitution1 = The Central Reserve Police Force Act, 1949<ref>{{cite web  
| countryabbr       = IN
|title         = The Central Reserve Police Force Act, 1949
| governingbody     = [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]]
|url           = https://mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/crpf_act1949_0.pdf}}</ref>
| constitution1     = Central Reserve Police Force Act, 1949<ref>{{cite web|title= The Central Reserve Police Force Act, 1949|url=https://mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/crpf_act1949_0.pdf}}</ref>
|paramilitary  = Yes
| gendarmerie      = yes
|headquarters   = CGO Complex, New Delhi, INDIA
| headquarters     = CGO Complex, New Delhi, INDIA
|electeetype   = Minister
| electeetype       = Minister
|minister1name = [[Amit Shah]]
| minister1name     = [[Amit Shah]]
|minister1pfo   = Union Minister of Home Affairs
| minister1pfo     = Union Minister of Home Affairs
|chief1name     = A. P. Maheshwari, [[Indian Police Service|IPS]]
| chief1name       = Dr. Sujoy Lal Thaosen, [[Indian Police Service|IPS]]
|chief1position = [[Director General]], [[CRPF]]
| chief1position   = [[Director General]], [[CRPF]]
|child1agency   = [[Commando Battalion for Resolute Action]] (COBRA)
| child1agency     = [[Commando Battalion for Resolute Action]] (COBRA)
|child2agency   = [[Rapid Action Force]] (RAF)
| child2agency     = [[Rapid Action Force]] (RAF)
|child3agency   = Special Duty Group
| child3agency     = Special Duty Group
|unittype       = [[Battallion]]|lockuptype=Quarter Guard
| child4agency      =[[CRPF Valley QAT]]
|programme1     = Operation All Out (J&K)
| unittype         = [[Battallion]]
|activitytype   = Operation
| lockuptype       = Quarter Guard
|anniversary1   = Valour Day<br>(9 April 1965)
| programme1       = Operation All Out (J&K)
|website       = https://crpf.gov.in/
| activitytype     = Operation
|child4agency  = Parliament Duty Group
| anniversary1     = Valour Day<br />(9 April 1965)
|anniversary2   = Police Commemoration Day<br>(21 October 1959)
| website           = {{URL|https://crpf.gov.in/}}
|programme2     = Anti-Naxal Operations (LWE Region)
| child5agency      = Parliament Duty Group
|image_size     = 200
| anniversary2     = Police Commemoration Day<br />(21 October 1959)
|dmap           = [[File:Political map of India EN.svg|thumb|Political map of India EN]]
| programme2       = Anti-Naxal Operations (LWE Region)
| image_size       = 200
| dmap             = [[File:Political map of India EN.svg|thumb|Political map of India EN]]
}}
}}
The '''Central Reserve Police Force''' ('''CRPF''') is India's largest [[Central Armed Police Forces|Central Armed Police Force]]. It functions under the authority of the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]] (MHA) of the [[Government of India]]. The CRPF's primary role lies in assisting the State/Union Territories in police operations to maintain law and order and counter [[insurgency]]. It came into existence as the Crown Representative's Police on 27 July 1939. After [[Independence Day (India)|Indian Independence]], it became the Central Reserve Police Force on enactment of the CRPF Act on 28 December 1949.
The '''Central Reserve Police Force''' ('''CRPF''') is a reserve [[gendarmerie]] and internal combat force in India under the authority of the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]] (MHA) of the [[Government of India]]. It is one among the [[Central Armed Police Forces]]. The CRPF's primary role lies in assisting the State/Union Territories in police operations to maintain [[rule of law|law and order]] and [[counter-insurgency]]. It is composed of Central Reserve Police Force ([[Regular army|Regular]]) and Central Reserve Police Force ([[Auxiliaries|Auxiliary]]).


Besides law and order and counter-insurgency duties, the CRPF has played an increasingly large role in India's general elections. This is especially true for the state of [Jammu and Kashmir (erstwhile State), Bihar and in the [[North East India|North East]], with the presence of unrest and often violent conflict. During the Parliamentary elections of September 1999, the CRPF played a major role in the security arrangements. Of late, CRPF contingents are also being deployed in UN missions.
It came into existence as the Crown Representative's Police on 27 July 1939. After [[Independence Day (India)|Indian independence]], it became the Central Reserve Police Force on the enactment of the CRPF Act on 28 December 1949. Besides law and order and counter-insurgency duties, the CRPF has played an increasingly large role in India's general elections. This is especially true for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, and in the [[North East India|North East]], with the presence of unrest and often violent conflict. During the Parliamentary elections of September 1999, the CRPF played a major role in the security arrangements. Of late, CRPF contingents are also being deployed in UN missions.


With 246 battalions and various other establishments, the CRPF is considered India's largest paramilitary force and has a sanctioned strength of more than 300,000 personnel as of 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/EnglAnnualReport2016-17_17042017.pdf|title=MHA Annual Report 2016-2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808200948/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/EnglAnnualReport2016-17_17042017.pdf#|archive-date=8 August 2017}}</ref>
With 246 battalions and various other establishments, the CRPF is considered India's largest central armed police force and has a sanctioned strength of more than 300,000 personnel as of 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/EnglAnnualReport2016-17_17042017.pdf|title=MHA Annual Report 2016-2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808200948/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/EnglAnnualReport2016-17_17042017.pdf|archive-date=8 August 2017}}</ref>
[[File:A Indian CRPF QRT operator.jpg|thumb|A CRPF QRT operator in full loadout]]
 
== Mission ==
The mission of the Central Reserve Police Force shall be to enable the government to maintain Rule of Law, Public Order and Internal Security effectively and efficiently to preserve National Integrity & Promote Social Harmony and Development by upholding supremacy of the Constitution.
 
In performing these tasks with utmost regard for human dignity and freedom of the citizens of India, the force shall endeavor to achieve excellence in management of internal security and national calamities by placing Service and Loyalty above self.


==History==
==History==
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* In 1949, the CRP was renamed under the CRPF Act. During the 1960s, many [[State Armed Police Forces|state reserve police]] battalions were merged with the CRPF. The CRPF has been active against foreign invasion and domestic insurgency.
* In 1949, the CRP was renamed under the CRPF Act. During the 1960s, many [[State Armed Police Forces|state reserve police]] battalions were merged with the CRPF. The CRPF has been active against foreign invasion and domestic insurgency.
* On 21 October 1959, SI Karam Singh and 20 soldiers were attacked by the [[People's Liberation Army|Chinese Army]] at [[Hot Springs, Chang Chenmo Valley|Hot Springs]] in [[Ladakh]] resulting in 10 casualties. The survivors were imprisoned. Since then, 21 October is observed as [[Martyrs' Day (India)#21 October|Police Commemoration]] day nationwide, across all states in India.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://crpf.nic.in/milestones-of-bravery.htm|title=Milestones of Bravery|website=crpf.nic.in|access-date=5 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705121356/http://crpf.nic.in/milestones-of-bravery.htm|archive-date=5 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* On 21 October 1959, SI Karam Singh and 20 soldiers were attacked by the [[People's Liberation Army|Chinese Army]] at [[Hot Springs, Chang Chenmo Valley|Hot Springs]] in [[Ladakh]] resulting in 10 casualties. The survivors were imprisoned. Since then, 21 October is observed as [[Martyrs' Day (India)#21 October|Police Commemoration]] day nationwide, across all states in India.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://crpf.nic.in/milestones-of-bravery.htm|title=Milestones of Bravery|website=crpf.nic.in|access-date=5 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705121356/http://crpf.nic.in/milestones-of-bravery.htm|archive-date=5 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* On intervening night of 8 and 9 April 1965, 3500 men of 51st Infantry Brigade of [[Pakistan]], comprising 18 Punjab Bn, 8 Frontier Rifles and 6 Baluch Bn, stealthily launched operation "Desert Hawk" against border posts in [[Rann of Kutch]]. It was to the valour of Head Constable Bhawana Ram deployed on the eastern parameter of Sardar Post whose gallant act was to a great extent instrumental in demoralising the intruders and forcing them to retreat from the post.
* On the intervening night of 8 and 9 April 1965, 3500 men of the 51st Infantry Brigade of [[Pakistan]], comprising 18 Punjab Bn, 8 Frontier Rifles, and 6 Baluch Bn, stealthily launched operation "Desert Hawk" against border posts in [[Rann of Kutch]]. It was to the valour of Head Constable Bhawana Ram deployed on the eastern parameter of Sardar Post whose gallant act was to a great extent instrumental in demoralizing the intruders and forcing them to retreat from the post.
There are few parallels of such a battle and the then Union Home Minister very appropriately graded it as a         "Military Battle" not a Police battle. The service and their sacrifice will now not need turning back to old records for appreciation with that historic moment being picked up for celebration as "Valour Day" of the Force after Year.
There are few parallels of such a battle and the then Union Home Minister very appropriately graded it as a "Military Battle" not a Police battle. The service and their sacrifice will now not need to turn back to old records for appreciation with that historic moment being picked up for celebration as "Valour Day" of the Force after Year.
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* The CRPF guarded the [[India-Pakistan Border]] until 1965, at which point the [[Border Security Force]] was created for that purpose.
* The CRPF guarded the [[India-Pakistan Border]] until 1965, at which point the [[Border Security Force]] was created for that purpose.
* On [[2001 Indian Parliament attack]] the CRPF troopers killed all five terrorists who had entered the premises of the [[Indian Parliament]] in New Delhi.
* On [[2001 Indian Parliament attack]] the CRPF troopers killed all five terrorists who had entered the premises of the [[Indian Parliament]] in New Delhi.
* When 5 armed terrorists tried to storm the [[Ram Janmabhoomi|Ram Janambhoomi]] / [[Babri Masjid]] Complex in [[Ayodhya]] on 5 July 2005 and had penetrated the outer security rings, they were challenged by CRPF which formed the inner security ring. Shri Vijeto Tinyi, AC and Shri Dharambir Singh, Head Constable, who exhibited exemplary gallant were awarded with ‘Shaurya Chakra’.<ref name="Milestones of Bravery"/>
* When 5 armed terrorists tried to storm the [[Ram Janmabhoomi|Ram Janambhoomi]] Complex in [[Ayodhya]] on 5 July 2005 and had penetrated the outer security rings, they were challenged by CRPF which formed the inner security ring. Shri Vijeto Tinyi, AC, and Shri Dharambir Singh, Head Constable, who exhibited exemplary gallant were awarded ‘Shaurya Chakra’.<ref name="Milestones of Bravery"/>
* In recent years, the [[Government of India]] has decided to follow up on recommendations of the Indian cabinet to use each security agency for its mandated purpose. As a result, the [[counter-insurgency]] operations in India have been entrusted to the CRPF.
* In recent years, the [[Government of India]] has decided to follow up on recommendations of the Indian cabinet to use each security agency for its mandated purpose. As a result, the [[counter-insurgency]] operations in India have been entrusted to the CRPF.
* In 2008 a wing called [[Commando Battalion for Resolute Action]] (CoBRA) was added to the CRPF to counter the [[Naxalite]] movement.
* In 2008 a wing called [[Commando Battalion for Resolute Action]] (CoBRA) was added to the CRPF to counter the [[Naxalite]] movement.
* On 2 September 2009, 5000 CRPF soldiers were deployed for a search and rescue mission to find the then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister [[Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy]] whose helicopter went missing over the Nallamalla Forest Range in Andhra Pradesh. This was the largest search operation ever mounted in India.
* On 2 September 2009, 5000 CRPF soldiers were deployed for a search and rescue mission to find the then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister [[Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy]] whose helicopter went missing over the Nallamalla Forest Range in Andhra Pradesh. This was the largest search operation ever mounted in India.


The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is the premier central police force of the Union of India for internal security. Originally constituted as the Crown Representative Police in 1939, it is one of the oldest Central para military forces (now termed as Central Armed Police Force). CRPF was raised as a sequel to the political unrest and the agitations in the then princely States of India following the Madras Resolution of the All-India Congress Committee in 1936 and the ever-growing desire of the Crown Representative to help the vast majority of the native States to preserve law and order as a part of the imperial policy.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is the premier central police force of the Union of India for internal security. Originally constituted as the Crown Representative Police in 1939, it is one of the oldest Central para-military forces (now termed as Central Armed Police Force). CRPF was raised as a sequel to the political unrest and the agitations in the then princely States of India following the Madras Resolution of the All-India Congress Committee in 1936 and the ever-growing desire of the Crown Representative to help the vast majority of the native States to preserve law and order as a part of the imperial policy.


After Independence, the force was renamed as Central Reserve Police Force by an Act of Parliament on 28 December 1949. This Act constituted CRPF as an armed force of the Union. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the then Home Minister, visualised a multi-dimensional role for it in tune with the changing needs of a newly independent nation.
After Independence, the force was renamed as Central Reserve Police Force by an Act of Parliament on 28 December 1949. This Act constituted CRPF as an armed force of the Union. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the then Home Minister, visualized a multi-dimensional role for it in tune with the changing needs of a newly independent nation.


During the early 1950s, the performance of the CRPF detachments in Bhuj, the then Patiala and East Punjab state Union (PEPSU) and Chambal ravines was appreciated by all quarters. The force played a significant role during the amalgamation of the princely States into the Indian Union. It helped the Union Government in disciplining the rebellious princely States of Junagarh and the small principality of Kathiawar in Gujarat which had declined to join the Indian Union.
During the early 1950s, the performance of the CRPF detachments in Bhuj, the then Patiala and East Punjab State Union (PEPSU)[[Patiala and East Punjab States Union]] and Chambal ravines were appreciated by all quarters. The force played a significant role during the amalgamation of the princely States into the Indian Union. It helped the Union Government in disciplining the rebellious princely States of Junagarh and the small principality of Kathiawar in Gujarat which had declined to join the Indian Union.


Soon after Independence, contingents of the CRPF were sent on Kutch, Rajasthan and Sindh borders to check infiltration and trans-border crimes. They were, subsequently, deployed on the Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir following attacks launched by the Pakistani infiltrators. The CRPF bore the brunt of the first Chinese attack on India at Hot Springs (Ladakh) on 21 October 1959. A small CRPF patrol was ambushed by the Chinese in which ten of its men made their supreme sacrifice for the country. Their martyrdom on 21 October is remembered throughout the country as the Police Commemoration Day every year.
Soon after Independence, contingents of the CRPF were sent to Kutch, Rajasthan, and Sindh borders to check infiltration and trans-border crimes. They were, subsequently, deployed on the Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir following attacks launched by the Pakistani infiltrators. The CRPF bore the brunt of the first Chinese attack on India at Hot Springs (Ladakh) on 21 October 1959. A small CRPF patrol was ambushed by the Chinese in which ten of its men made their supreme sacrifice for the country. Their martyrdom on 21 October is remembered throughout the country as the Police Commemoration Day every year.


During the Chinese aggression of 1962, the Force once again assisted the Indian Army in Arunachal Pradesh. Eight CRPF personnel were killed in action. In 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars also the Force fought shoulder-to-shoulder with the Indian Army, both on the Western and Eastern borders.
During the [[Sino-Indian War]] of 1962, the Force once again assisted the Indian Army in Arunachal Pradesh. Eight CRPF personnel were killed in action. In the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars also the Force fought shoulder-to-shoulder with the Indian Army, both on the Western and Eastern borders.


For the first time in the history of para-military Forces in India, thirteen companies of CRPF including a detachment of women were airlifted to join the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka to fight the militant caders. Besides, CRPF personnel were also sent to Haiti, Namibia, Somalia and Maldives to deal with law and order situation there, as a part of the UN Peace Keeping Force.
For the first time in the history of para-military Forces in India, thirteen companies of CRPF including a detachment of women were airlifted to join the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka to fight the militant cadres. Besides, CRPF personnel were also sent to Haiti, Namibia, Somalia, and Maldives to deal with the law and order situation there, as a part of the UN Peace Keeping Force.


In the late seventies, when the extremist elements disturbed peace in Tripura and Manipur, CRPF battalions were deployed in strength. Simultaneously, there was a turmoil in the Brahmaputra Valley. The CRPF had to be inducted in strength not only to maintain law and order but also to keep lines of communication free from disruption. The commitments of the Force continue to be very high in the North-East in dealing with the insurgency.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://crpf.gov.in/rec/history-crpf.htm|title=History of CRPF {{!}} About Us {{!}} Central Reserve Police Force, Government of India.|website=crpf.gov.in|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref>
In the late seventies, when extremist elements disturbed the peace in Tripura and Manipur, CRPF battalions were deployed in strength. Simultaneously, there was turmoil in the Brahmaputra Valley. The CRPF had to be inducted in strength not only to maintain law and order but also to keep lines of communication free from disruption. The commitments of the Force continue to be very high in the Northeast in dealing with the insurgency.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://crpf.gov.in/rec/history-crpf.htm|title=History of CRPF {{!}} About Us {{!}} Central Reserve Police Force, Government of India.|website=crpf.gov.in|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref>


== Conflicts and operations ==
== Operations ==


=== Sri Lanka Mission ===
=== Sri Lanka Mission ===
The role of the CRPF and its services rendered have extended beyond the nation's borders as well. The services rendered by the CRPF in Sri Lanka as part of IPKF, as part of the UN Peace Keeping Force in Namibia, Somalia, Haiti, Maldives and also in Bosnia speaks volumes about the ability, agility, versatility and dependability of the Force to adapt to any conflict-situation round the globe. Presently a contingent of 240 personnel of RAF are deployed in KOSOVO as UN Mission in Kosovo is to provide protection and security to the UN officials/UN civil police/ Crowd control etc. RAF coys will also assist local Police to control /mob during violent demonstration, humanitarian and to assist the activities of the ICTY.
The role of the CRPF and its services rendered have extended beyond the nation's borders as well. The services rendered by the CRPF in Sri Lanka as part of IPKF, as part of the UN Peace Keeping Force in Namibia, Somalia, Haiti, Maldives, and also in Bosnia speak volumes about the ability, agility, versatility, and dependability of the Force to adapt to any conflict-situation round the globe. Presently a contingent of 240 personnel of RAF is deployed in KOSOVO as UN Mission in Kosovo is to provide protection and security to the UN officials/UN civil police/ Crowd control etc. RAF coys will also assist local Police to control /mob during violent demonstrations, humanitarian and to assist the activities of the ICTY.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://crpf.gov.in/sri-lanka-mission.htm|title=Sri Lanka Mission|work=Central Reserve Police Force|accessdate=2022-05-20}}</ref>


=== Haiti Mission ===
=== Haiti Mission ===


==== Background ====
;Background
Haiti was under the commandment of National Council of Government in 1986 under Jean Claude Duvalier. The country went through a series of political instability moving from one military Government to other from 1986 to 1991. The country experienced 4 military coup. In 1991 military government was replaced by a young priest Jean Bertrand Aristide who took over as president after election in November 1990, he was overthrown after 7 months in Sept 1991 by General Cadres. The Priest Jean Bertrand Aristide took asylum in USA with U.S troops who prepared to enter Haiti under orders from President Bill Clinton of USA. The Wind was favourable for the return of Aristide to power by holding elections in Haiti in Oct 1994.
Haiti was under the commandment of the National Council of Government in 1986 under Jean Claude Duvalier. The country went through a series of political instability moving from one military Government to another from 1986 to 1991. The country experienced 4 military coups. In 1991 the military government was replaced by a young priest Jean Bertrand Aristide who took over as president after the election in November 1990, he was overthrown after 7 months in Sept 1991 by General Cadres. The Priest Jean Bertrand Aristide took asylum in the USA with U.S troops who prepared to enter Haiti under orders from President Bill Clinton of USA. The Wind was favorable for the return of Aristide to power by holding elections in Haiti in Oct 1994.


A contingent of 120 male personnel selected from CRPF and RAF Units was formed up, trained and equipped for duties at 103 RAF in Delhi and they were sent to Haiti on 31 March’94. This contingent, then called as Company, worked in Haiti for various duties during elections as a part of US Army contingent forming 504 Military Police Battalion (Dragon Fighters) under UN Mission in HAITI (UNMIH).
A contingent of 120 male personnel selected from CRPF and RAF Units was formed, trained, and equipped for duties at 103 RAF in Delhi and they were sent to Haiti on 31 March 1994. This contingent then called a Company, worked in Haiti for various duties during elections as a part of the US Army contingent forming 504 Military Police Battalion (Dragon Fighters) under the UN Mission in Haiti (UNMIH).


====Duties performed====
;Duties performed
The duties performed by the contingent included mobile patrolling, saturation patrolling, manning and guarding of Police Stations and the National Prison, combined mounted/dismounted patrols, Prison monitor teams and security escorts. They also trained the prisoners. All such duties were conducted as a special arrangement for peaceful conduct of Presidential elections in Haiti.
The duties performed by the contingent included mobile patrolling, saturation patrolling, manning and guarding Police Stations and the National Prisons, combined mounted/dismounted patrols, Prison monitor teams, and security escorts. They also trained the prisoners. All such duties were conducted as a special arrangement for the peaceful conduct of Presidential elections in Haiti.


Shri R.S.H.S Sahota then Commandant, was the Contingent Commander. In recognition of the contingent's excellent performance in Haiti, the contingent was awarded on U.S. Army Commendation Medal, 5 US Army Achievement Medals, 80 appreciation coins and UN Medal to all 120 personnel. After successful completion of the assigned task, this contingent was de-inducted from Haiti during November 1995.
Shri R.S.H.S Sahota then Commandant, was the Contingent Commander. In recognition of the contingent's excellent performance in Haiti, the contingent was awarded on U.S. Army Commendation Medal, 5 US Army Achievement Medals, 80 appreciation coins, and UN Medal to all 120 personnel. After successful completion of the assigned task, this contingent was de-inducted from Haiti in November 1995.
=== Operation Lalgarh ===
Lalgarh was severely affected by the Naxalites in the late 2000s and early 2010s. To solve this menace, the WB government requested the deployment of the CRPF and its newly raised CoBRA battalions. The operation ended after the encounter with Kishenji, who was the root of the rebellion.


=== Liberia Mission ===
=== Liberia Mission ===
On a special request from United Nations and direction of Govt. of India/Ministry of Home Affairs, a fully formed Female Police Unit (FFPU) was formed up with Mahila CRPF personnel which was further deployed in Liberia during Feb 2007, as part of an UN peacekeeping force in the strife-torn African nation.
On a special request from the United Nations and direction of Govt. of India/Ministry of Home Affairs, a fully formed Female Police Unit (FFPU) was formed with Mahila CRPF personnel which was further deployed in Liberia during Feb 2007, as part of an UN peacekeeping force in the strife-torn African nation.
 
Out of the 23 nations deployed there, only India has the privilege of having an exclusive women's team there, and it was the first exclusive female team of police that was pressed into action in any UN peacekeeping force.
 
This deployment is still on as part of the UN mission however is now supplemented by a male Contingent also. The tenure of each contingent is for one year. At present, the 8th Batch of Female contingents and the 5th Batch of Male contingents have been deployed in Liberia.
 
=== Operations in Kashmir ===
CRPF is deployed in Jammu and Kashmir for various reasons. Their duty includes performing CASOs, SADOs, and ROPs, providing security to both vital installations and highways, etc. In fact, their way of operating even surpasses the RR of the army operating there. They are the most active in the valley along with the JKP SOG. Their method of doing operations in the valley is highly appreciated and second to none.
 
==Organisation==
[[File:The CRPF marching contingents passes through the Rajpath during the 66th Republic Day Parade 2015, in New Delhi on January 26, 2015.jpg|alt=|thumb|CRPF (CoBRA) personnel during the Republic Day Parade]]
===Administration===
The CRPF is headed by a [[Director General]] who is an [[Indian Police Service]] officer and is divided into ten administrative sectors, each headed by an Inspector General. Each Sector consists of one or more administrative and/or Operational Ranges, headed by an officer of the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police. Now, Group Centres are also headed by DIGs. The Financial Advisor of the CRPF has been an [[Indian Revenue Service]] officer of the rank of Joint Secretary and also has Dy Advisors from the Indian Audit and Accounts Service or the Indian Telecom. Service and Indian Civil Account Service.
 
===Subdivisions===
There are 243 [[battalion]]s, (including 204 executive Bns, 6 Mahila Bns, 15 RAF Bns, 10 CoBRA Bns, 5 Signal Bns and 1 Special Duty Group, 1 Parliament Duty Group),<ref>{{cite web |title=Central Reserve Police Force, the government of India |url=https://crpf.gov.in/ |website=crpf.gov.in}}</ref> of approximately 1200 constables each. Each battalion is commanded by a [[commanding officer]] of the rank [[Commandant]], and consists of seven CRPF companies, each containing 135 men. Each company is headed by an [[Assistant commandant|Assistant Commandant.]]
 
The Ministry of Home Affairs plans to raise 2 Group Centers, 2 Range HQs, 1 Sector HQ, and 12 new battalions including a Mahila (all-female) battalion by 2019.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/AR(E)1516.pdf|title=MHA Annual Report 2015-16|website=[[National Informatics Centre]]|publisher=[[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]]|page=172|access-date=27 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625213524/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/AR(E)1516.pdf|archive-date=25 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
The CRPF force is organized into a headquarters, three attached wings, and four zones. A zone is either headed by an additional director general or a special director general. A zone is subdivided into sectors where each sector is headed by an inspector general.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://crpf.nic.in/organization-chart.htm|title=Organization Chart|website=crpf.nic.in|access-date=20 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612170239/http://crpf.nic.in/organization-chart.htm|archive-date=12 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Zone
!Branch / Zone in-charge
!Branch / Sector
|-
| rowspan="6" |Operations & HQ
| rowspan="6" |Shri Zulfiquar Hasan, IPS, ADG
|Operations
|
|-
|Intelligence
|
|-
|COBRA
|
|-
|RAF
|
|-
|Comms & IT
|
|-
|Medical
|
|-
| rowspan="5" |Works
| rowspan="5" |Shri Sanjay Chander, IPS, SDG
|Personnel
|
|-
|Provisioning
|
|-
|Administration
|
|-
|Establishment
|
|-
|F.A.
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |Training
| rowspan="2" |Shri Shyam Sundar Chaturvedi, IPS, ADG
|Training Institutions
|
|-
|ISA Mt.Abu
|
|-
| rowspan="4" |North-East
 
(Spl. DG-GTY)
| rowspan="4" |Shri Sanjeev Ranjan Ojha , IPS, ADG
|Jorhat
|
|-
|Manipur and Nagaland
|
|-
|Tripura
|
|-
|North Eastern
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |Southern
 
(ADG-HYD)
| rowspan="3" |Smt Rashmi Shukla, IPS, ADG
|Western
|
|-
|Southern
|
|-
|Karnataka-Kerala
|
|-
| rowspan="9" |Central


Out of the 23 nations deployed there, only India has the privilege of having an exclusive women's team there, and it was the first exclusive female team of police which was pressed into action in any UN peacekeeping force.
(Spl. DG-KOL)
| rowspan="9" |Shri Nitin Agarwal, IPS, ADG
|Bihar
|
|-
|Central
|
|-
|Madhya Pradesh
|
|-
|Eastern
|
|-
|Odisha
|
|-
|Chhattisgarh
|
|-
|Jharkhand
|
|-
|West Bengal
|
|-
|
|-
| rowspan="6" |Jammu & Kashmir


This deployment is still on as part of the UN mission however is now supplemented by a male Contingent also. Tenure of each contingent is for one year. At present, 8th Batch of Female contingents and 5th Batch of Male contingents have been deployed in Liberia.
(Spl. DG-JMU)
| rowspan="6" |Shri Sanjay Arora, IPS, ADG
|Jammu
|
|-
|Northern
|
|-
|Rajasthan
|
|-
|North Western
|
|-
|Srinagar
|
|-
|Operations Kashmir
|
|-
|CRPF Academy
|Shri K S Bhandari, ADG
|CRPF Academy
|
|}
 
==Special units==
===The Rapid Action Force===
{{Main|Rapid Action Force}}
The Rapid Action Force (RAF) is a specialized 15 [[battalion]] wing of the Indian Central Reserve Police Force. It was formed in October 1992, to deal with communal riots and related civil unrest. The battalions are numbered from 99 to 108. 5 more battalions were also added in the year 2017 by converting the GD battalion into an RAF battalion. The RAF is a zero-response force intended to quickly respond to a crisis situation.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://crpf.nic.in/RAFSector.htm|title=RAF Sector|website=crpf.nic.in|access-date=5 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006112257/http://www.crpf.nic.in/RAFSector.htm|archive-date=6 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
This force also has the distinction of having a unique flag signifying peace. The force was the recipient of the President's colour presented by Shri [[L.K. Advani]], then Deputy Prime Minister of India, on 7 October 2003 for "its selfless service to the nation in the 11th year of coming into existence".
 
The smallest functional unit in the force is a 'Team' commanded by an [[inspector]], which has three components — a riot control element, a [[tear gas]] element, and a fire element. It has been organized as an independent strike unit.
 
One team in each [[Company (military unit)|company]] of the RAF is composed of female personnel so as to deal more effectively with situations where the force faces women demonstrators.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://crpf.nic.in/about-sector-RAF.htm|title=About Sector|website=crpf.nic.in|access-date=5 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702085405/http://www.crpf.nic.in/about-sector-RAF.htm|archive-date=2 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
===Parliament Duty Group===
The '''Parliament Duty Group''' is an elite CRPF unit tasked with providing armed protection to [[Sansad Bhavan|Parliament House]].<ref name="crpf">{{cite news|title=CRPF for Parliament security|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120510/jsp/nation/story_15473003.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707161249/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120510/jsp/nation/story_15473003.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 July 2012|access-date=13 August 2012 | location=Calcutta, India|work=The Telegraph|date=10 May 2012}}</ref> It comprises 1,540 personnel drawn from various units of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). PDG members are trained in combating nuclear and bio-chemical attacks, rescue operations, and behavioural management.
 
The Parliament House complex is protected by teams from the Delhi police, CRPF, [[ITBP]], and personnel of the Parliament Security Service. [[Parliament Security Services|The Parliament Security Service]] acts as the overall coordinating agency in close cooperation with various security agencies such as the [[Delhi Police]], [[CRPF]], [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|IB]], [[Special Protection Group|SPG]] and [[National Security Guard|NSG]].
 
PDG personnel are armed with [[Glock]] Pistols, [[MP5]] Submachine Gun, [[INSAS]] sniper rifles with telescope and hand-held thermal imagers.<ref name="crpf" />
 
===Special Duty Group===
The '''Special Duty Group''' is an elite battalion of the CRPF tasked with providing security for the outer cordon of the [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister's]] official residence on [[7, Lok Kalyan Marg]] and his [[Prime Minister's Office (India)|office]] in the North Block as well as during outdoor functions. It comprises around 1000 personnel.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2020/india/crpf-orders-enquiry-after-expired-polio-vaccines-given-to-some-infants-at-medical-camp.html| title=CRPF orders enquiry after expired polio vaccines given to some infants at medical camp|date=20 May 2020|access-date=17 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/may/20/crpf-orders-inquiry-in-botched-up-vaccination-drive-among-personnels-children-2145666.html| title=CRPF orders inquiry in 'botched up' vaccination drive among personnel's children|date=20 May 2020|access-date=17 May 2021}}</ref>


===Current role and strength===
===CoBRA===
As of 2010, the CRPF is the largest paramilitary organisation of the country and is actively looking after the internal security of every part of India and were operating abroad as part of [[Indian Peace Keeping Force|IPKF]] and the [[United Nations peacekeeping]] missions. It is performing a variety of duties ranging from VIP security to election duties, from guarding of vital installations to the counter-naxal operations.
{{Main|Commando Battalion for Resolute Action}}
Commando Battalion for Resolute Action<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://crpf.nic.in/cobra-sector.htm|title=CoBRA Sector|website=crpf.nic.in|access-date=5 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705110718/http://www.crpf.nic.in/cobra-sector.htm|archive-date=5 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> (CoBRA) is the special operation unit of CRPF created in 2008 to deal the [[Naxalite]] movement in India. This specialised CRPF unit is one of the few units of the ''[[Central Armed Police Forces]]'' in the country that is specifically trained in guerilla warfare. This elite fighting unit has been trained to track, hunt and eliminate small Naxalite groups. There are currently 10 COBRA units.


== List of Chiefs of CRPF ==
10 CoBRA units raised between 2008 and 2011 have been trained, equipped, and deployed in all LWE/ Insurgent affected areas of the states of Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, as well as Assam & Meghalaya is one of the best Central Armed Police in the country trained to survive, fight and win in the jungle. CoBRA is unquestionably/undoubtedly the best CAP in the country.
V. G. Kanetkar was the first Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force, serving from 3 August 1968 to 15 September 1969.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://crpf.nic.in/former-dg.htm|title=Former DG|website=crpf.nic.in|access-date=12 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220040527/http://www.crpf.nic.in/former-dg.htm|archive-date=20 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The current Director General is [[Anand Prakash Maheshwari|Dr. A.P. Maheshwari]], in office since 13 January 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://crpf.nic.in/former-dg.htm|title=Former DG|website=crpf.nic.in|access-date=5 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630193831/http://www.crpf.nic.in/former-dg.htm|archive-date=30 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
CoBRA was awarded 04 [[Shaurya Chakra]]s, 01 [[Kirti Chakra]], 01 [[President's Police Medal|PPMG]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://crpf.nic.in/about-sector-cobra-sector.htm|title=About Sector {{!}} CoBRA Sector {{!}} Central Reserve Police Force, Government of India|website=crpf.nic.in|access-date=12 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219050329/http://crpf.nic.in/about-sector-cobra-sector.htm|archive-date=19 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> 117 PMG, and 1267 DG Commendations.
 
==Personnel==
===Rank structure===
{{Main|List of police ranks in India|Indian Police Service}}
The organization is structured mainly on three rank categories which include [[Gazetted Officer (India)|Gazetted Officers(GOs)]], [[Subordinate officer|Subordinate Officers]](SOs), and Non-Gazetted Officers (NGOs). The [[Assistant commandant|Assistant Commandants]] are Group 'A' [[Gazetted Officer (India)|Gazetted officers]], directly appointed upon clearing an exam conducted by the UPSC which is held yearly.
 
;Officers
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/India (CRPF)}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| rowspan=1| '''Police equivalent'''
| colspan=4|
| style="vertical-align:top;" colspan=2 rowspan=1 |
{| style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"
| Director General
| Director General
| Additional<br />Director General
|}
| colspan=2| Inspector General
| colspan=2| Deputy Inspector General
| colspan=2| Senior Superintendent
| colspan=2| Superintendent
| colspan=2| Deputy Commandant / Additional Superintendent
| colspan=2| ACP/DySP
| colspan=6| ''No equivalent''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| rowspan=1| '''Army equivalent'''
| colspan=4|
| colspan=2| Lieutenant general
| colspan=2| Major general
| colspan=2| Brigadier
| colspan=2| Colonel
| colspan=2| Lieutenant colonel
| colspan=2| Major
| colspan=2| Captain
| colspan=6| Lieutenant
|}
 
;Other Ranks
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
|- style="background:#ccc;"
! Rank group|| colspan=10| Junior commissioned officers || colspan=12| Non commissioned officer || colspan=14| Enlisted
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/India (CRPF)}}
|}
 
Being a central Indian police agency and having a high presence of [[Indian Police Service]] officers, CRPF follows ranks and insignia similar to other police organisations in India.
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:CRPF Daredevils.jpg|alt=|thumb|308x308px|CRPF Daredevils Team performing during Republic Day 2020 at Rajpath, New Delhi.]] -->
 
=== List of Directors General ===
V. G. Kanetkar was the first Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force, serving from 3 August 1968 to 15 September 1969.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://crpf.nic.in/former-dg.htm|title=Former DG|website=crpf.nic.in|access-date=12 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220040527/http://www.crpf.nic.in/former-dg.htm|archive-date=20 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The current Director General is Dr. Sujoy Lal Thaosen, in office since 1 October 2022.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Sr No.
!Sr No.
Line 188: Line 414:
|-
|-
|15
|15
| P G Harlarnkar
|[[P.G.Harlankar]]
|1 April 1988
|1 April 1988
|30 September 1990
|30 September 1990
Line 290: Line 516:
| [[Anand Prakash Maheshwari|Dr. A. P. Maheshwari]]
| [[Anand Prakash Maheshwari|Dr. A. P. Maheshwari]]
| 13 January 2020
| 13 January 2020
| Incumbent
| 28 February 2021
|}
 
==Organizational structure==
[[File:The CRPF marching contingents passes through the Rajpath during the 66th Republic Day Parade 2015, in New Delhi on January 26, 2015.jpg|alt=|thumb|CRPF(CoBRA) personnel during the Republic Day Parade|377x377px]]
The CRPF is headed by a [[Director general]] who is an [[Indian Police Service]] officer and is divided into ten administrative sectors, each headed by an Inspector General. Each Sector consists of one or more administrative and/or Operational Ranges, headed by an officer of the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police. Now, Group Centres are also headed by DIGs. The Financial Advisor of the CRPF has been an [[Indian Revenue Service]] officer of the rank of Joint Secretary and also has Dy Advisors from the Indian Audit and Accounts Service or the Indian Telecom. Service and Indian Civil Account Service.
 
There are 243 [[battalion]]s, (including 204 executive Bns, 6 Mahila Bns, 15 RAF Bns, 10 CoBRA Bns, 5 Signal Bns and 1 Special Duty Group, 1 Parliament Duty Group),<ref>{{cite web |title=Central Reserve Police Force, government of india |url=https://crpf.gov.in/ |website=crpf.gov.in}}</ref> of approximately 1200 constables each. Each battalion is commanded by a [[commanding officer]] of the rank [[Commandant]], and consists of seven CRPF companies, each containing 135 men. Each company is headed by an [[Assistant commandant|Assistant Commandant.]]
 
The Ministry of Home Affairs plans to raise 2 Group Centers, 2 Range HQ's, 1 Sector HQ and 12 new battalions including a Mahila (all female) battalion by 2019.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/AR(E)1516.pdf|title=MHA Annual Report 2015-16|website=[[National Informatics Centre]]|publisher=[[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]]|page=172|access-date=27 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625213524/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/AR(E)1516.pdf|archive-date=25 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The organization is structured  mainly on three rank categories which includes [[Gazetted Officer (India)|Gazetted Officers(GOs)]], [[Subordinate officer|Subordinate Officers]](SOs) and Non-Gazetted Officers(NGOs).
 
The [[Assistant commandant|Assistant Commandants]] are Group 'A' [[Gazetted Officer (India)|Gazetted officers]], directly appointed upon clearing an exam conducted by the UPSC which is held yearly.
 
The CRPF force is organized into a Headquarters three attached wings and fours zones. A zone is either headed by an additional director general or a special director general. A zone is sub-divided into sectors where each sector is headed by an inspector general.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://crpf.nic.in/organization-chart.htm|title=Organization Chart|website=crpf.nic.in|access-date=20 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612170239/http://crpf.nic.in/organization-chart.htm|archive-date=12 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Zone
!Officer
!Sector
|-
| rowspan="2" |Directorate General
| rowspan="2" |DG [[Anand Prakash Maheshwari|Dr. A. P. Maheshwari]], IPS<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://crpf.nic.in/index.htm|title=Home {{!}} Central Reserve Police Force, government of india|website=crpf.nic.in|access-date=20 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619032321/http://crpf.nic.in/index.htm|archive-date=19 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|Rapid Action Force
|-
|Communications
|
|-
| rowspan="4" |North-East
(Spl. DG-GTY)
| rowspan="4" |SDG Shri Arun Kumar Sharma, IPS<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.crpf.gov.in/north-east-zone.htm|title=North-East Zone {{!}} CRPF|website=crpf.gov.in|access-date=7 January 2019}}</ref>
|Jorhat
|-
|Manipur and Nagaland
|-
|-
|Tripura
| 36
| Kuldiep Singh
| 16 March 2021
| 30 September 2022
|-
|-
|North Eastern
|37
|Dr.Sujoy Lal Thaosen
|1 October 2022
|
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |Southern
(ADG-HYD)
| rowspan="3" |ADG Shri Sanjay Arora, IPS<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.crpf.gov.in/southern-zone.htm|title=Southern Zone {{!}} CRPF|website=crpf.gov.in|access-date=7 January 2019}}</ref>
|Western
|
|-
|Southern
|-
|Karnataka-Kerala
|-
| rowspan="9" |Central
(Spl. DG-KOL)
| rowspan="9" |SDG Shri Kuldiep Singh, IPS<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.crpf.gov.in/central-zone.htm|title=Central Zone {{!}} CRPF|website=crpf.gov.in|access-date=7 January 2019}}</ref>
|Bihar
|-
|Central
|-
|Madhya Pradesh
|-
|Eastern
|-
|Odisha
|-
|Chhattisgarh
|-
|Jharkhand
|-
|West Bengal
|-
|-
| rowspan="6" |Jammu & Kashmir
(Spl. DG-JMU)
| rowspan="6" |SDG Shri V.S.K. Kaumudi, IPS<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.crpf.gov.in/jk-zone.htm|title=J & K Zone {{!}} CRPF|website=crpf.gov.in|access-date=7 January 2019}}</ref>
|Jammu
|-
|Northern
|
|-
|Rajasthan
|
|-
|North Western
|-
|Srinagar
|-
|Operations Kashmir
|
|-
|CRPF Academy
|ADG Shri P. K. Chaudhary<ref name="Organisation Structure">{{Cite web|url=https://crpf.gov.in/organization-chart.htm#|title=Organisation Structure}}</ref>
|CRPF Academy
|-
|Operations & HQ
|ADG Sanjay Arora, IPS<ref name="Organisation Structure"/>
|Operations
Intelligence
COBRA
RAF
Comms & IT
Medical
|
<ref name=":3" />
|-
|Works
|SDG Jawed Akhtar
|Personnel
Provisioning
Administration
Establishment
F.A.
|
|
|-
|Training
|SDG Shri Sachchidanand Shrivastava, IPS<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://crpf.gov.in/organization-chart.htm#|title=Organisational Structure}}</ref>
|Training
ISA Mt.Abu
|
|}
==Designation Structure Gazetted, Group A Officer==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! CRPF DESIGNATIONS !! POLICE RANKS
!ARMY                         
|-
|  Director General (Apex Scale of the Indian Police Service) ||Director General of a State Police Force
|Lieutinent General(Commander's Scale)
|-
|  Special Director General (HAG+ Scale of the Indian Police Service) ||Special Director General
|No Equivalence
|-
|  Additional Director General (HAG Scale of the Indian Police Service) ||C.P, ADG
|Lieutenent General(HAG)
|-
|  Inspector General (IG) || IG / Joint CP
|Major General
|-
|  Deputy Inspector General (DIG) || DIG / Additional CP
|Brigadier
|-
|  Commandant (CO) || SSP / DCP
|Colonel
|-
| Second in Command (2IC) || SP / DCP
|Lieutenent Colonel
|-
|  Deputy Commandant (DC) || SP / Addl. DCP (Delhi) or DCP (Maharashtra)
|Major
|-
| Assistant Commandant (AC) || DSP / ACP
|Captain
|-
|Assistant Commandant/Officer Trainee(AC/OT)
|DSP(Probationer)
|Lieutenent
|-
|}
|}
{{Main|List of police ranks in India|Indian Police Service}}
Being a central Indian police agency and having high presence of [[Indian Police Service]] officers, CRPF follows ranks and insignia similar to other police organisations in India.
<nowiki>*</nowiki><small>There is no equivalence between the ranks of the defense forces and the police forces since there is no government established relativity in terms of rank.</small>
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:CRPF Daredevils.jpg|alt=|thumb|308x308px|CRPF Daredevils Team performing during Republic Day 2020 at Rajpath, New Delhi.]] -->
==The Rapid Action Force==
The [[Rapid Action Force]] (RAF) is a specialised 15 [[battalion]] wing of the Indian Central Reserve Police Force. It was formed in October 1992, to deal with communal riots and related civil unrest. The battalions are numbered from 99 to 108.5 more battalion also added in year 2017 by converting GD battalion into RAF battalion. The RAF is a zero-response force intended to quickly respond to a crisis situation.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://crpf.nic.in/RAFSector.htm|title=RAF Sector|website=crpf.nic.in|access-date=5 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006112257/http://www.crpf.nic.in/RAFSector.htm|archive-date=6 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
This force also has the distinction of having a unique flag signifying peace. The force was the recipient of the President's colour presented by SH [[L. K. Advani|L.K. Advani]], then Deputy Prime Minister of India, on 7 October 2003 for "its selfless service to the nation in the 11th year of coming into existence".
The smallest functional unit in the force is a 'Team' commanded by an [[inspector]], has three components namely a riot control element, a [[Tear smoke gas|tear smoke]] element and a fire element. It has been organised as an independent strike unit.
One team in each [[Company (military unit)|company]] of the RAF is composed of female personnel so as to deal more effectively with situation where the force faces women demonstrators.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://crpf.nic.in/about-sector-RAF.htm|title=About Sector|website=crpf.nic.in|access-date=5 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702085405/http://www.crpf.nic.in/about-sector-RAF.htm|archive-date=2 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Parliament Duty Group==
The '''Parliament Duty Group''' is an elite CRPF unit tasked with providing armed protection to [[Sansad Bhavan|Parliament House]].<ref name="crpf">{{cite news|title=CRPF for Parliament security|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120510/jsp/nation/story_15473003.jsp|access-date=13 August 2012 | location=Calcutta, India|work=The Telegraph|date=10 May 2012}}</ref> It comprises 1,540 personnel drawn from various units of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). PDG members are trained in combating nuclear and bio-chemical attacks, rescue operations and behavioural management.


The Parliament House complex is protected by teams from the Delhi police, CRPF, [[ITBP]] and personnel of the Parliament Security Service. [[Parliament Security Services|The Parliament Security Service]] acts as the overall coordinating agency in close cooperation with various security agencies such as the [[Delhi Police]], [[CRPF]], [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|IB]], [[Special Protection Group|SPG]] and [[National Security Guard|NSG]].
===Women in the CRPF===
CRPF has six Mahila (Female) Battalions. After its training in March 1987, 88(M) Bn won laurels for its work assisting the [[1987 Meerut communal riots|Meerut riots]] and later with the [[Indian Peace Keeping Force|IPKF]] in Sri Lanka. Personnel of the second Mahila battalion (135 Bn) performed creditably during the [[Lok Sabha]] elections 1996 in many states.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://crpf.nic.in/mahila-battalions.htm|title=Mahila Battalions|website=crpf.nic.in|access-date=5 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630195935/http://www.crpf.nic.in/mahila-battalions.htm|archive-date=30 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> At present female personnel are deployed in active duty in Jammu & Kashmir, Ayodhya, Manipur, Assam and other parts of the country where they are doing a commendable job. In addition, each [[Rapid Action Force|RAF]] battalion has a component of 96 female operators.


PDG personnel are armed with [[Glock]] Pistols, [[MP5]] Submachine Gun, [[INSAS]] sniper rifles with telescope and hand-held thermal imagers.<ref name="crpf" />
The successful experiment of the 88 (Mahila) Bn and the ever-increasing necessity of female officers in dealing with emerging law and order situations as well as the Government emphasis on equality and women empowerment, CRPF raised the second and third Mahila Bn i.e. the 135 (M) Bn with HQR at Gandhinagar (Gujarat) in 1995 and the 213 Bn with HQR at Nagpur (Maharastra) in 2011.<ref name=":1" />


==Weapons==
==Weapons==
CRPF uses basic [[Infantry]] weapons which are manufactured indigenously at the [[Indian Ordnance Factories]] under control of the [[Ordnance Factories Board]]:
CRPF uses basic [[Infantry]] weapons which are manufactured indigenously at the [[Indian Ordnance Factories]] under the control of the [[Ordnance Factories Board]]: They are also equipped with weapons like CGRLs, 81mm mortars, AGLs, etc.
# [[Pistol Auto 9mm 1A]] and [[Glock 17]] 9&nbsp;mm pistols
# [[Heckler & Koch]] [[MP5]] replacing the Carbine 1A 9&nbsp;mm sub-machine guns
# [[INSAS]] 5.56&nbsp;mm assault rifles
# [[INSAS]] 5.56&nbsp;mm light machine guns replacing the Bren L4 machine guns
 
[[File:COBRA COMMANDO.jpg|alt=|thumb|[[Commando Battalion for Resolute Action|CRPF COBRA]] trooper]]
 
# [[AGS-30]] Plamya 30&nbsp;mm automatic grenade launcher
# [[AKM]] for counter-insurgency
# [[Tavor TAR-21]]
# [[Micro Tavor]] (X95) [[Bullpup]].
# [[FN MAG]]
# OFB 51mm Mortar
# OFB 81mm Mortar
# [[Bofors Carl Gustaf|Carl Gustav]] 84&nbsp;mm recoilless rifles
# [[Modern Sub Machine Carbine|MSMC]] 5.56 minsas
In addition to these, CRPF also uses land mine detectors.
 
==Women in the CRPF==
CRPF is the only Para Military Force in the Country which has three Mahila (Ladies) Battalions. After its training in March 1987, 88(M) Bn won laurels for its work assisting the [[1987 Meerut communal riots|Meerut riots]] and later with the [[Indian Peace Keeping Force|IPKF]] in Sri Lanka. Personnel of second Mahila battalion (135 Bn) performed creditably during the [[Lok Sabha]] elections 1996 in many states.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://crpf.nic.in/mahila-battalions.htm|title=Mahila Battalions|website=crpf.nic.in|access-date=5 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630195935/http://www.crpf.nic.in/mahila-battalions.htm|archive-date=30 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
At present mahila personnel are deployed in active duty in Jammu & Kashmir, Ayodhya, Manipur, Assam and other parts of the country where they are doing commendable job. In addition each [[Rapid Action Force|RAF]] battalion has a Mahila (Ladies) component consisting of 96 personnel.
 
With increasing participation of women in politics, agitation and crime, policemen have been feeling handicapped in handling women agitations especially because even a small, real or alleged misdemeanour on their part in dealing with any matter related to women has the potential of turning into a serious law & order problem. To cope with such eventualities the first Mahila Bn in CRPF, the 88(M) Bn was created in 1986 with HQR in Delhi.
 
The successful experiment of the 88 (Mahila) Bn and the ever-increasing requirement of a Mahila component in dealing with emerging law and order situation as well as the Government emphasis to empower the women Department had taken of raising the second and third Mahila Bn i.e. the 135 (M) Bn with HQR at Gandhinagar (Gujarat) in 1995 and the 213 Bn with HQR at Nagpur (Maharastra) in 2011.<ref name=":1" />
 
==CoBRA==
 
In 2008 a wing called [[Commando Battalion for Resolute Action]]<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://crpf.nic.in/cobra-sector.htm|title=CoBRA Sector|website=crpf.nic.in|access-date=5 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705110718/http://www.crpf.nic.in/cobra-sector.htm|archive-date=5 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> (CoBRA) was added to the CRPF to counter the [[Naxalite]] movement in India. This specialised CRPF unit is one of the few units of the ''[[Central Armed Police Forces]]'' in the country who are specifically trained in guerilla warfare. This elite fighting unit has been trained to track, hunt and eliminate small Naxalite groups. There are currently 10 COBRA units.
 
10 CoBRA units raised between 2008 and 2011 have been trained, equipped and deployed in all LWE/ Insurgent affected areas of the states of Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, as well as Assam & Meghalaya is one of the best Central Armed Police in the country trained to survive, fight and win in the jungle. CoBRA is unquestionably/undoubtedly the best CAP in the country.
 
CoBRA was awarded 04 [[Shaurya Chakra]]s, 01 [[Kirti Chakra]], 01 [[President's Police Medal|PPMG]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://crpf.nic.in/about-sector-cobra-sector.htm|title=About Sector {{!}} CoBRA Sector {{!}} Central Reserve Police Force, Government of India|website=crpf.nic.in|access-date=12 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219050329/http://crpf.nic.in/about-sector-cobra-sector.htm|archive-date=19 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> 117 PMG, and 1267 DG Commendation disc and 31 personnel's were Killed in action during operations.


==Awards==
==Awards==
[[File:Medallist2018.jpg|thumb|246x246px|'''List of Gallantry-Medals/Awards as on 14 September 2018''']]
[[File:Medallist2018.jpg|thumb|246x246px|'''List of Gallantry-Medals/Awards as on 14 September 2018''']]
Members of the CRPF has been awarded 1586 medals.<ref name=":2"/>
Members of the CRPF have been awarded 1586 medals.<ref name=":2"/>


{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
Line 591: Line 614:
|'''1586'''
|'''1586'''
|}
|}
CRPF bagged highest humber of gallantary medals amongst all paramilitary forces. The force was awarded 30 gallantary medals on Republic Day 2022.


== In popular culture ==
== In popular culture ==
The acronym CRPF has been expanded as "''Chalte Raho Pyare Force''" ({{Translation|Keep moving my friend force|Keep Moving, Beloved Force}}) since they are constantly on the move from one troubled place in India to another.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Halarnkar|first=Samar|date=2010-04-07|title=No time for war|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/no-time-for-war/story-OaNnRr8MrCKi2LkOiyIorN.html|access-date=2020-07-09|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Raza|first=M. Maroof|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zn65l2PdfYIC&q=chalte+raho+pyare+force&pg=PA94|title=Confronting Terrorism|date=2009|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-670-08369-5|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Joshi|first=Manoj|date=10 January 2017|title=BSF Jawan's Video Has a Simple Message: India Should be Ready to Pay for Security|url=https://thewire.in/security/bsf-army-jawan|access-date=2020-07-09|website=The Wire}}</ref>  
The acronym CRPF has been expanded as "''Chalte Raho Pyare Force''" ({{Literal Translation|Keep moving my friend force|Keep Moving, Beloved Force}}) since they are constantly on the move from one troubled place in India to another.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Halarnkar|first=Samar|date=2010-04-07|title=No time for war|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/no-time-for-war/story-OaNnRr8MrCKi2LkOiyIorN.html|access-date=2020-07-09|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Raza|first=M. Maroof|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zn65l2PdfYIC&q=chalte+raho+pyare+force&pg=PA94|title=Confronting Terrorism|date=2009|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-670-08369-5|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Joshi|first=Manoj|date=10 January 2017|title=BSF Jawan's Video Has a Simple Message: India Should be Ready to Pay for Security|url=https://thewire.in/security/bsf-army-jawan|access-date=2020-07-09|website=The Wire}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 606: Line 631:
* [[Operation Green Hunt]]
* [[Operation Green Hunt]]
* [[Indian Coast Guard]]
* [[Indian Coast Guard]]
* [[Central Reserve Police Force SC]]


==References==
==References==
Line 611: Line 637:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
 
* {{Official website|www.crpf.gov.in}}
* {{Official website|www.crpf.gov.in}}


{{Home Ministry (India)}}
{{Law enforcement in India}}
{{Law enforcement in India}}


[[Category:Organizations established in 1939]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1939]]
[[Category:Federal law enforcement agencies of India]]
[[Category:Federal law enforcement agencies of India]]
[[Category:Units of the Indian Peace Keeping Force]]
[[Category:Units of the Indian Peace Keeping Force]]
[[Category:Central Armed Police Forces of India]]
[[Category:Central Armed Police Forces of India]]
[[Category:1939 establishments in India]]
[[Category:1939 establishments in British India]]
[[Category:India in World War II]]
[[Category:India in World War II]]
[[Category:Specialist law enforcement agencies of India]]
[[Category:Specialist law enforcement agencies of India]]

Latest revision as of 01:36, 22 July 2023

Central Reserve Police Force
Central Reserve Police Force emblem
CRPF Emblem
CRPF Flag.svg
CRPF emblem embroidered on the sky-blue flag
AbbreviationCRPF
Motto"सेवा और निष्ठा"
Service and Loyalty
Agency overview
Formed
  • 27 July 1939 (1939-07-27)
    (as Crown Representative's Police)
  • 28 December 1949; 74 years ago (1949-12-28)
Preceding agency
Employees313,634 Active personnel
Annual budget29,324.92 crore (US$4.1 billion) (2022–23)[1]
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionIN
Political map of India EN
Governing bodyMinistry of Home Affairs
Constituting instrument
  • Central Reserve Police Force Act, 1949[2]
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersCGO Complex, New Delhi, INDIA
Minister responsible
Agency executive
Child agencies
Notables
Programmes
  • Operation All Out (J&K)
  • Anti-Naxal Operations (LWE Region)
Anniversaries
  • Valour Day
    (9 April 1965)
  • Police Commemoration Day
    (21 October 1959)
Website
crpf.gov.in

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is a reserve gendarmerie and internal combat force in India under the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of the Government of India. It is one among the Central Armed Police Forces. The CRPF's primary role lies in assisting the State/Union Territories in police operations to maintain law and order and counter-insurgency. It is composed of Central Reserve Police Force (Regular) and Central Reserve Police Force (Auxiliary).

It came into existence as the Crown Representative's Police on 27 July 1939. After Indian independence, it became the Central Reserve Police Force on the enactment of the CRPF Act on 28 December 1949. Besides law and order and counter-insurgency duties, the CRPF has played an increasingly large role in India's general elections. This is especially true for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, and in the North East, with the presence of unrest and often violent conflict. During the Parliamentary elections of September 1999, the CRPF played a major role in the security arrangements. Of late, CRPF contingents are also being deployed in UN missions.

With 246 battalions and various other establishments, the CRPF is considered India's largest central armed police force and has a sanctioned strength of more than 300,000 personnel as of 2019.[3]

History[edit]

  • The CRPF was derived from the CRP (Crown Representative's Police) on 27 July 1939 with 2 battalions in Nimach [Means North Indian Mounted Artillery and Cavalry Headquarter], Madhya Pradesh. Its primary duty at the time was to protect the British residents in sensitive states of India.[4]
  • In 1949, the CRP was renamed under the CRPF Act. During the 1960s, many state reserve police battalions were merged with the CRPF. The CRPF has been active against foreign invasion and domestic insurgency.
  • On 21 October 1959, SI Karam Singh and 20 soldiers were attacked by the Chinese Army at Hot Springs in Ladakh resulting in 10 casualties. The survivors were imprisoned. Since then, 21 October is observed as Police Commemoration day nationwide, across all states in India.[5]
  • On the intervening night of 8 and 9 April 1965, 3500 men of the 51st Infantry Brigade of Pakistan, comprising 18 Punjab Bn, 8 Frontier Rifles, and 6 Baluch Bn, stealthily launched operation "Desert Hawk" against border posts in Rann of Kutch. It was to the valour of Head Constable Bhawana Ram deployed on the eastern parameter of Sardar Post whose gallant act was to a great extent instrumental in demoralizing the intruders and forcing them to retreat from the post.

There are few parallels of such a battle and the then Union Home Minister very appropriately graded it as a "Military Battle" not a Police battle. The service and their sacrifice will now not need to turn back to old records for appreciation with that historic moment being picked up for celebration as "Valour Day" of the Force after Year. [check quotation syntax]

  • The CRPF guarded the India-Pakistan Border until 1965, at which point the Border Security Force was created for that purpose.
  • On 2001 Indian Parliament attack the CRPF troopers killed all five terrorists who had entered the premises of the Indian Parliament in New Delhi.
  • When 5 armed terrorists tried to storm the Ram Janambhoomi Complex in Ayodhya on 5 July 2005 and had penetrated the outer security rings, they were challenged by CRPF which formed the inner security ring. Shri Vijeto Tinyi, AC, and Shri Dharambir Singh, Head Constable, who exhibited exemplary gallant were awarded ‘Shaurya Chakra’.[4]
  • In recent years, the Government of India has decided to follow up on recommendations of the Indian cabinet to use each security agency for its mandated purpose. As a result, the counter-insurgency operations in India have been entrusted to the CRPF.
  • In 2008 a wing called Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) was added to the CRPF to counter the Naxalite movement.
  • On 2 September 2009, 5000 CRPF soldiers were deployed for a search and rescue mission to find the then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy whose helicopter went missing over the Nallamalla Forest Range in Andhra Pradesh. This was the largest search operation ever mounted in India.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is the premier central police force of the Union of India for internal security. Originally constituted as the Crown Representative Police in 1939, it is one of the oldest Central para-military forces (now termed as Central Armed Police Force). CRPF was raised as a sequel to the political unrest and the agitations in the then princely States of India following the Madras Resolution of the All-India Congress Committee in 1936 and the ever-growing desire of the Crown Representative to help the vast majority of the native States to preserve law and order as a part of the imperial policy.

After Independence, the force was renamed as Central Reserve Police Force by an Act of Parliament on 28 December 1949. This Act constituted CRPF as an armed force of the Union. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the then Home Minister, visualized a multi-dimensional role for it in tune with the changing needs of a newly independent nation.

During the early 1950s, the performance of the CRPF detachments in Bhuj, the then Patiala and East Punjab State Union (PEPSU)Patiala and East Punjab States Union and Chambal ravines were appreciated by all quarters. The force played a significant role during the amalgamation of the princely States into the Indian Union. It helped the Union Government in disciplining the rebellious princely States of Junagarh and the small principality of Kathiawar in Gujarat which had declined to join the Indian Union.

Soon after Independence, contingents of the CRPF were sent to Kutch, Rajasthan, and Sindh borders to check infiltration and trans-border crimes. They were, subsequently, deployed on the Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir following attacks launched by the Pakistani infiltrators. The CRPF bore the brunt of the first Chinese attack on India at Hot Springs (Ladakh) on 21 October 1959. A small CRPF patrol was ambushed by the Chinese in which ten of its men made their supreme sacrifice for the country. Their martyrdom on 21 October is remembered throughout the country as the Police Commemoration Day every year.

During the Sino-Indian War of 1962, the Force once again assisted the Indian Army in Arunachal Pradesh. Eight CRPF personnel were killed in action. In the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars also the Force fought shoulder-to-shoulder with the Indian Army, both on the Western and Eastern borders.

For the first time in the history of para-military Forces in India, thirteen companies of CRPF including a detachment of women were airlifted to join the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka to fight the militant cadres. Besides, CRPF personnel were also sent to Haiti, Namibia, Somalia, and Maldives to deal with the law and order situation there, as a part of the UN Peace Keeping Force.

In the late seventies, when extremist elements disturbed the peace in Tripura and Manipur, CRPF battalions were deployed in strength. Simultaneously, there was turmoil in the Brahmaputra Valley. The CRPF had to be inducted in strength not only to maintain law and order but also to keep lines of communication free from disruption. The commitments of the Force continue to be very high in the Northeast in dealing with the insurgency.[6]

Operations[edit]

Sri Lanka Mission[edit]

The role of the CRPF and its services rendered have extended beyond the nation's borders as well. The services rendered by the CRPF in Sri Lanka as part of IPKF, as part of the UN Peace Keeping Force in Namibia, Somalia, Haiti, Maldives, and also in Bosnia speak volumes about the ability, agility, versatility, and dependability of the Force to adapt to any conflict-situation round the globe. Presently a contingent of 240 personnel of RAF is deployed in KOSOVO as UN Mission in Kosovo is to provide protection and security to the UN officials/UN civil police/ Crowd control etc. RAF coys will also assist local Police to control /mob during violent demonstrations, humanitarian and to assist the activities of the ICTY.[7]

Haiti Mission[edit]

Background

Haiti was under the commandment of the National Council of Government in 1986 under Jean Claude Duvalier. The country went through a series of political instability moving from one military Government to another from 1986 to 1991. The country experienced 4 military coups. In 1991 the military government was replaced by a young priest Jean Bertrand Aristide who took over as president after the election in November 1990, he was overthrown after 7 months in Sept 1991 by General Cadres. The Priest Jean Bertrand Aristide took asylum in the USA with U.S troops who prepared to enter Haiti under orders from President Bill Clinton of USA. The Wind was favorable for the return of Aristide to power by holding elections in Haiti in Oct 1994.

A contingent of 120 male personnel selected from CRPF and RAF Units was formed, trained, and equipped for duties at 103 RAF in Delhi and they were sent to Haiti on 31 March 1994. This contingent then called a Company, worked in Haiti for various duties during elections as a part of the US Army contingent forming 504 Military Police Battalion (Dragon Fighters) under the UN Mission in Haiti (UNMIH).

Duties performed

The duties performed by the contingent included mobile patrolling, saturation patrolling, manning and guarding Police Stations and the National Prisons, combined mounted/dismounted patrols, Prison monitor teams, and security escorts. They also trained the prisoners. All such duties were conducted as a special arrangement for the peaceful conduct of Presidential elections in Haiti.

Shri R.S.H.S Sahota then Commandant, was the Contingent Commander. In recognition of the contingent's excellent performance in Haiti, the contingent was awarded on U.S. Army Commendation Medal, 5 US Army Achievement Medals, 80 appreciation coins, and UN Medal to all 120 personnel. After successful completion of the assigned task, this contingent was de-inducted from Haiti in November 1995.

Operation Lalgarh[edit]

Lalgarh was severely affected by the Naxalites in the late 2000s and early 2010s. To solve this menace, the WB government requested the deployment of the CRPF and its newly raised CoBRA battalions. The operation ended after the encounter with Kishenji, who was the root of the rebellion.

Liberia Mission[edit]

On a special request from the United Nations and direction of Govt. of India/Ministry of Home Affairs, a fully formed Female Police Unit (FFPU) was formed with Mahila CRPF personnel which was further deployed in Liberia during Feb 2007, as part of an UN peacekeeping force in the strife-torn African nation.

Out of the 23 nations deployed there, only India has the privilege of having an exclusive women's team there, and it was the first exclusive female team of police that was pressed into action in any UN peacekeeping force.

This deployment is still on as part of the UN mission however is now supplemented by a male Contingent also. The tenure of each contingent is for one year. At present, the 8th Batch of Female contingents and the 5th Batch of Male contingents have been deployed in Liberia.

Operations in Kashmir[edit]

CRPF is deployed in Jammu and Kashmir for various reasons. Their duty includes performing CASOs, SADOs, and ROPs, providing security to both vital installations and highways, etc. In fact, their way of operating even surpasses the RR of the army operating there. They are the most active in the valley along with the JKP SOG. Their method of doing operations in the valley is highly appreciated and second to none.

Organisation[edit]

CRPF (CoBRA) personnel during the Republic Day Parade

Administration[edit]

The CRPF is headed by a Director General who is an Indian Police Service officer and is divided into ten administrative sectors, each headed by an Inspector General. Each Sector consists of one or more administrative and/or Operational Ranges, headed by an officer of the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police. Now, Group Centres are also headed by DIGs. The Financial Advisor of the CRPF has been an Indian Revenue Service officer of the rank of Joint Secretary and also has Dy Advisors from the Indian Audit and Accounts Service or the Indian Telecom. Service and Indian Civil Account Service.

Subdivisions[edit]

There are 243 battalions, (including 204 executive Bns, 6 Mahila Bns, 15 RAF Bns, 10 CoBRA Bns, 5 Signal Bns and 1 Special Duty Group, 1 Parliament Duty Group),[8] of approximately 1200 constables each. Each battalion is commanded by a commanding officer of the rank Commandant, and consists of seven CRPF companies, each containing 135 men. Each company is headed by an Assistant Commandant.

The Ministry of Home Affairs plans to raise 2 Group Centers, 2 Range HQs, 1 Sector HQ, and 12 new battalions including a Mahila (all-female) battalion by 2019.[9]

The CRPF force is organized into a headquarters, three attached wings, and four zones. A zone is either headed by an additional director general or a special director general. A zone is subdivided into sectors where each sector is headed by an inspector general.[10]

Zone Branch / Zone in-charge Branch / Sector
Operations & HQ Shri Zulfiquar Hasan, IPS, ADG Operations
Intelligence
COBRA
RAF
Comms & IT
Medical
Works Shri Sanjay Chander, IPS, SDG Personnel
Provisioning
Administration
Establishment
F.A.
Training Shri Shyam Sundar Chaturvedi, IPS, ADG Training Institutions
ISA Mt.Abu
North-East

(Spl. DG-GTY)

Shri Sanjeev Ranjan Ojha , IPS, ADG Jorhat
Manipur and Nagaland
Tripura
North Eastern
Southern

(ADG-HYD)

Smt Rashmi Shukla, IPS, ADG Western
Southern
Karnataka-Kerala
Central

(Spl. DG-KOL)

Shri Nitin Agarwal, IPS, ADG Bihar
Central
Madhya Pradesh
Eastern
Odisha
Chhattisgarh
Jharkhand
West Bengal
Jammu & Kashmir

(Spl. DG-JMU)

Shri Sanjay Arora, IPS, ADG Jammu
Northern
Rajasthan
North Western
Srinagar
Operations Kashmir
CRPF Academy Shri K S Bhandari, ADG CRPF Academy

Special units[edit]

The Rapid Action Force[edit]

The Rapid Action Force (RAF) is a specialized 15 battalion wing of the Indian Central Reserve Police Force. It was formed in October 1992, to deal with communal riots and related civil unrest. The battalions are numbered from 99 to 108. 5 more battalions were also added in the year 2017 by converting the GD battalion into an RAF battalion. The RAF is a zero-response force intended to quickly respond to a crisis situation.[11]

This force also has the distinction of having a unique flag signifying peace. The force was the recipient of the President's colour presented by Shri L.K. Advani, then Deputy Prime Minister of India, on 7 October 2003 for "its selfless service to the nation in the 11th year of coming into existence".

The smallest functional unit in the force is a 'Team' commanded by an inspector, which has three components — a riot control element, a tear gas element, and a fire element. It has been organized as an independent strike unit.

One team in each company of the RAF is composed of female personnel so as to deal more effectively with situations where the force faces women demonstrators.[12]

Parliament Duty Group[edit]

The Parliament Duty Group is an elite CRPF unit tasked with providing armed protection to Parliament House.[13] It comprises 1,540 personnel drawn from various units of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). PDG members are trained in combating nuclear and bio-chemical attacks, rescue operations, and behavioural management.

The Parliament House complex is protected by teams from the Delhi police, CRPF, ITBP, and personnel of the Parliament Security Service. The Parliament Security Service acts as the overall coordinating agency in close cooperation with various security agencies such as the Delhi Police, CRPF, IB, SPG and NSG.

PDG personnel are armed with Glock Pistols, MP5 Submachine Gun, INSAS sniper rifles with telescope and hand-held thermal imagers.[13]

Special Duty Group[edit]

The Special Duty Group is an elite battalion of the CRPF tasked with providing security for the outer cordon of the Prime Minister's official residence on 7, Lok Kalyan Marg and his office in the North Block as well as during outdoor functions. It comprises around 1000 personnel.[14][15]

CoBRA[edit]

Commando Battalion for Resolute Action[16] (CoBRA) is the special operation unit of CRPF created in 2008 to deal the Naxalite movement in India. This specialised CRPF unit is one of the few units of the Central Armed Police Forces in the country that is specifically trained in guerilla warfare. This elite fighting unit has been trained to track, hunt and eliminate small Naxalite groups. There are currently 10 COBRA units.

10 CoBRA units raised between 2008 and 2011 have been trained, equipped, and deployed in all LWE/ Insurgent affected areas of the states of Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, as well as Assam & Meghalaya is one of the best Central Armed Police in the country trained to survive, fight and win in the jungle. CoBRA is unquestionably/undoubtedly the best CAP in the country.

CoBRA was awarded 04 Shaurya Chakras, 01 Kirti Chakra, 01 PPMG,[17] 117 PMG, and 1267 DG Commendations.

Personnel[edit]

Rank structure[edit]

The organization is structured mainly on three rank categories which include Gazetted Officers(GOs), Subordinate Officers(SOs), and Non-Gazetted Officers (NGOs). The Assistant Commandants are Group 'A' Gazetted officers, directly appointed upon clearing an exam conducted by the UPSC which is held yearly.

Officers
Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/India (CRPF)
Equivalent
NATO code
OF-10 OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1 OF(D) and student officer
Police equivalent
Director General Director General Additional
Director General
Inspector General Deputy Inspector General Senior Superintendent Superintendent Deputy Commandant / Additional Superintendent ACP/DySP No equivalent
Army equivalent Lieutenant general Major general Brigadier Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain Lieutenant
Other Ranks
Rank group Junior commissioned officers Non commissioned officer Enlisted

Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/India (CRPF)

Being a central Indian police agency and having a high presence of Indian Police Service officers, CRPF follows ranks and insignia similar to other police organisations in India.

List of Directors General[edit]

V. G. Kanetkar was the first Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force, serving from 3 August 1968 to 15 September 1969.[18] The current Director General is Dr. Sujoy Lal Thaosen, in office since 1 October 2022.

Sr No. Name From Till
1 V G Kanetkar 3 August 1968 15 September 1969
2 Imdad Ali 16 September 1969 28 February 1973
3 B B Mishra 1 March 1973 30 September 1974
4 N S Saxena 30 September 1974 31 May 1977
5 S M Ghosh 1 June 1977 31 July 1978
6 R C Gopal 31 July 1978 10 August 1979
7 P R Rajgopal 10 August 1979 30 March 1980
8 Birbal Nath 13 May 1980 3 September 1980
9 R N Sheopory 3 September 1980 31 December 1981
10 S D Chowdhury 27 January 1982 30 April 1983
11 Shival Swarup 30 July 1983 7 May 1985
12 J F Ribeiro 4 June 1985 8 July 1985
13 T G L Iyer July 1985 Nov 1985
14 S D Pandey 1 November 1985 31 March 1988
15 P.G.Harlankar 1 April 1988 30 September 1990
16 K P S Gill 19 December 1990 8 November 1991
17 S Subramanian 9 November 1991 31 January 1992
18 D P N Singh 1 February 1992 30 November 1993
19 S V M Tripathi 1 December 1993 30 June 1996
20 M B Kaushal 1 October 1996 12 November 1997
21 M N Sabharwal 2 December 1997 31 July 2000
22 Trinath Mishra 31 July-2000 31 December 2002
23 S C Chaube 31 December 2002 31 January 2004
24 J K Sinha 31 January 2004 28 February 2007
25 S I S Ahmed 1 March 2007 31 March 2008
26 V K Joshi 31 March 2008 28 February 2009
27 A S Gill 28 February 2009 31 January 2010
28 Vikram Srivastava 31 January 2010 6 October 2010
29 K Vijay Kumar 7 October 2010 30 September 2012
30 Pranay Sahay 1 October 2012 31 July 2013
31 Dilip Trivedi 17 August 2013 30 November 2014
32 Prakash Mishra 1 December 2014 29 February 2016
33 K. Durga Prasad 1 March 2016 28 February 2017
34 Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar 27 April 2017 13 January 2020
35 Dr. A. P. Maheshwari 13 January 2020 28 February 2021
36 Kuldiep Singh 16 March 2021 30 September 2022
37 Dr.Sujoy Lal Thaosen 1 October 2022

Women in the CRPF[edit]

CRPF has six Mahila (Female) Battalions. After its training in March 1987, 88(M) Bn won laurels for its work assisting the Meerut riots and later with the IPKF in Sri Lanka. Personnel of the second Mahila battalion (135 Bn) performed creditably during the Lok Sabha elections 1996 in many states.[19] At present female personnel are deployed in active duty in Jammu & Kashmir, Ayodhya, Manipur, Assam and other parts of the country where they are doing a commendable job. In addition, each RAF battalion has a component of 96 female operators.

The successful experiment of the 88 (Mahila) Bn and the ever-increasing necessity of female officers in dealing with emerging law and order situations as well as the Government emphasis on equality and women empowerment, CRPF raised the second and third Mahila Bn i.e. the 135 (M) Bn with HQR at Gandhinagar (Gujarat) in 1995 and the 213 Bn with HQR at Nagpur (Maharastra) in 2011.[19]

Weapons[edit]

CRPF uses basic Infantry weapons which are manufactured indigenously at the Indian Ordnance Factories under the control of the Ordnance Factories Board: They are also equipped with weapons like CGRLs, 81mm mortars, AGLs, etc.

Awards[edit]

List of Gallantry-Medals/Awards as on 14 September 2018

Members of the CRPF have been awarded 1586 medals.[5]

Sl No Medal Name Numbers
01 George Cross 01
02 King's Police Medal for Gallantry 03
03 Ashok Chakra 01
04 Kirti Chakra 01
05 Padma Shri 01
06 Vir Chakra 01
07 Shaurya Chakra 14
08 President's Police and Fire Services Medal for Gallantry 49
09 President's Police Medal for Gallantry 192
10 Yudh Seva Medal 01
11 Sena Medal 05
11 Vishisht Seva Medal 04
12 Police Medal for Gallantry 1205
13 IPMG 05
14 Jeevan Raksha Padak 03
15 Prime Minister's Police Medal for Life Saving 100
TOTAL 1586

CRPF bagged highest humber of gallantary medals amongst all paramilitary forces. The force was awarded 30 gallantary medals on Republic Day 2022.

In popular culture[edit]

The acronym CRPF has been expanded as "Chalte Raho Pyare Force" (Template:Literal Translation) since they are constantly on the move from one troubled place in India to another.[20][21][22]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. "Rs 1.85 lakh crore allocation to MHA in budget". The Economic Times. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  2. "The Central Reserve Police Force Act, 1949" (PDF).
  3. "MHA Annual Report 2016-2017" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 August 2017.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Milestones of Bravery". crpf.nic.in. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  5. 5.0 5.1 "Milestones of Bravery". crpf.nic.in. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  6. "History of CRPF | About Us | Central Reserve Police Force, Government of India". crpf.gov.in. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  7. "Sri Lanka Mission". Central Reserve Police Force. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  8. "Central Reserve Police Force, the government of India". crpf.gov.in.
  9. "MHA Annual Report 2015-16" (PDF). National Informatics Centre. Ministry of Home Affairs. p. 172. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 June 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  10. "Organization Chart". crpf.nic.in. Archived from the original on 12 June 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  11. "RAF Sector". crpf.nic.in. Archived from the original on 6 October 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  12. "About Sector". crpf.nic.in. Archived from the original on 2 July 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  13. 13.0 13.1 "CRPF for Parliament security". The Telegraph. Calcutta, India. 10 May 2012. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  14. "CRPF orders enquiry after expired polio vaccines given to some infants at medical camp". 20 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  15. "CRPF orders inquiry in 'botched up' vaccination drive among personnel's children". 20 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  16. "CoBRA Sector". crpf.nic.in. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  17. "About Sector | CoBRA Sector | Central Reserve Police Force, Government of India". crpf.nic.in. Archived from the original on 19 December 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  18. "Former DG". crpf.nic.in. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  19. 19.0 19.1 "Mahila Battalions". crpf.nic.in. Archived from the original on 30 June 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  20. Halarnkar, Samar (7 April 2010). "No time for war". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  21. Raza, M. Maroof (2009). Confronting Terrorism. Penguin Books India. ISBN 978-0-670-08369-5.
  22. Joshi, Manoj (10 January 2017). "BSF Jawan's Video Has a Simple Message: India Should be Ready to Pay for Security". The Wire. Retrieved 9 July 2020.

External links[edit]