The Central Reserve Police Force, initially established as the Crown Representatives Police on July 27, 1939, assumed its current name when the CRPF Act was passed on December 28, 1949, marking 85 years of glorious history. The force has since evolved into a substantial and diverse organization with a Directorate, four Zonal Headquarters, 21 Administrative Sectors, 2 Operational Sectors, 39 Administrative Ranges, 17 Operational Ranges, 43 Group Centres, 22 Training Institutions, 4 Composite Hospitals (with 100-bed facilities), 18 Composite Hospitals (with 50-bed capacities), 6 Field Hospitals, 3 Central Weapon Stores (CWS), 7 Ammunition Workshops (AWS), 201 General Duty Battalions (GD Bns), 6 VIP Security Battalions, 6 Mahila Battalions, 15 Rapid Action Force (RAF) Battalions, 10 CoBRA Battalions, 5 Signal Battalions, 1 Parliament Duty Group (PDG), and 1 Special Duty Group (SDG).
The CRPF is a force with a nationwide presence, exemplifying its composition and deployment across India. Its remarkable ability to swiftly adjust to diverse situational demands, while seamlessly collaborating with state police, has earned the CRPF the reputation of being one of the most widely embraced forces, both by the public and state administrations, over the years.
Broad gamut of duties performed by the CRPF are :
In addition to its responsibilities in maintaining law and order and countering insurgency. The CRPF has played a crucial role in the conduct of General Elections over the past few years. This significance is particularly pronounced in the strife-ridden regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar and the North-eastern states. During both Parliamentary and State Assembly elections, the CRPF has been instrumental in ensuring robust security arrangements.
The CRPF plays a crucial, but often overlooked, role in safeguarding critical Central Government facilities, and installation including airports, power plants, bridges, Doordarshan Kendra, All India Radio Stations, the residences of Governors and Chief Ministers, Nationalized Banks, and various other government establishments in states affected by insurgency. In such severely troubled regions, the CRPF diligently ensures the security of democratic institutions and prevents terrorists and subversive groups from usurping civil society. Despite its relatively inconspicuous nature, the CRPF’s contribution remains of utmost importance.
A total of 5.68% of the CRPF’s personnel are deployed for the security of VIPs, primarily concentrated in the North-Eastern States, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh. This includes the protection of Governors, Chief Ministers, Ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs), and Members of State Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, and Mizoram. Furthermore, the CRPF provides static guard services for the residences and offices of the Prime Minister of India, various Union Ministers, and other dignitaries.
Approximately 8.5% of the force is deputed for the protection of important Central and State Government facilities, especially in regions affected by insurgency. This duty involves ensuring the security of crucial sites like government secretariats, Doordarshan Kendras, telephone exchanges, banks, hydroelectric projects, and Jails.
A total of 16 Coys are assigned to provide security for three highly sensitive shrines viz Krishna Janma Bhoomi, Shahi Idgah Masjid complex in Mathura, Shri Kashi vishwanath Temple in Varanasi and the Ram Janma Bhoomi Temple complex in Ayodhya. The CRPF also ensures the robust security of the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra, Jammu, within the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) stands as India's largest Central Armed Police Force, bearing a proud history and an eventful present. Its chronicles are filled with numerous “SAGAS OF BERAVERY” that serve as enduring sources of inspiration and guidance. Since its establishment in 1939, the CRPF has traversed a remarkable journey, from aiding in the integration of small Princely States into the Indian Union to managing the tumultuous events of the Partition Riots.
Over the years, he CRPF has valiantly battled in conjunction with the Indian Army during times of war. Notably, on October 21, 1959, ten courageous CRPF soldiers laid down their lives when Chinese troops intruded into Indian territory, attacking a CRPF patrol at Hot Springs in Ladakh. As a mark of respect, this day is celebrated as “Police Commemoration Day”.
Further, during a pivotal moment in history, two CRPF companies stationed at Sardar Post in Kutch successfully repelled an assault by a brigade of the Pakistan Army on April 9, 1965. The Battle of Sardar Post remains a testament to the valor of the CRPF and is regarded as one of the most exceptional battles fought by police forces and this day is celebrated as “Valour Day” for all CAPFs and State Police. On the domestic security front, the CRPF thwarted an attack on the Indian Parliament on December 13, 2001, and another on Ayodhya on July 27, 2005.
The CRPF has also played a pivotal role in quelling militancy in Punjab during the 1980s and insurgency in Tripura throughout the 1990s. In 2001, following a recommendation by a group of Ministers, the CRPF was designated as the primary internal security force in the country.
91 CRPF units(including 10 CoBRA) are deployed in LWE theatre. Since the deployment of CRPF in LWE affected states, CRPF has shown unmatched professionalism and specialization in jungle warfare tactics resulting in uprooting of Maoism from Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. Most importantly, CRPF has penetrated the strong holds of Maoism in Chhattisgarh by establishing several FOBs, where force is ready for final assault. In Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and Maharashtra, Maoist cadres are struggling to show their presence. The CRPF successfully neutralized the top Maoist leader Kishanji in 2011 and conducted major operations in so-called liberated Naxal areas like Saranda in 2011, Maad in 2012, the Cut-off area in 2012, Burha Pahad in 2012, and Silger & Pedia in 2013.
The CRPF has been actively involved in rescue and relief operations during various natural disasters, including the Orissa Super Cyclone in 1999, the Gujarat Earthquake in 2001, the Tsunami in 2004, and the Jammu and Kashmir Earthquake in 2005. Furthermore, the CRPF has demonstrated its capabilities in various overseas UN deployments, including missions in Sri Lanka (1987), Haiti (1995), Kosovo (2000), and Liberia (Women Contingent) in 2007.
To date, 2262 brave CRPF soldiers have made the supreme sacrifice of their lives in the service of the nation. In recognition of their operational valor, the force has been honoured with 01 George Cross, 03 King’s Police Medals for Gallantry, 01 Ashok Chakra, 14 Kirti Chakra, 01 Vir Chakra, 46 Shaurya Chakras, 01 Padma Shree, 49 President’s Police and Fire Services Medal for Gallantry (PPFSMG), 203 Police Medals for Meritorious Service (PPMG), 2054 Police Medals for Gallantry (PMG), 5 Indian Police Medals for Gallantry (IPMG), 4 Vishist Seva Medals, 1 Yudh Seva Medal, 5 Sena Medals, 114 Prime Minister’s Police Medals for Life Saving, 7 Jeevan Raksha Padaks, 51 Union Home Minister’s Special Operation Medal and 117 Medal of Gallantry.
In last five years CRPF has neutralized 747 militants/ naxals, apprehended 7237, forced the surrender of 4064, recovered 3066 arms, 92789 number of assorted ammunitions, 2635.32 kgs of explosives, 2001 grenades, 784 bombs, 17 rockets, 6072 IEDs, 65507 detonators, 13709 gelatin sticks, 138628.96 kgs of narcotics and over 38 crores of cash.
