The Central Reserve Police Force came into existence as Crown Representative’s Police on 27th July 1939. It became the Central Reserve Police Force on enactment of the CRPF Act on 28th December 1949. It has completed 81 years of glorious history.
The Force has grown into a big organization with 246 Bns, (including 208 executive Bns, 6 Mahila Bns, 15 RAF Bns, 10 CoBRA Bns, 5 Signal Bns and 1 Special Duty Group, 1 Parliament Duty Group), 43Group Centres, 20 Training Institutions, 3 CWS, 7 AWS, 3 MWS/SWS, 4 Composite Hospitals of 100 bed and 18 Composite Hospitals of 50 bed.
It is All India in character, both in deployment and in its composition. Due to its unique capability to quickly adapt to various situational requirements, and also, to work in perfect harmony with the State Police, CRPF has, over the years, acquired the distinction of being perhaps the most acceptable Force, by the people and the State administrations.
Broad gamut of duties performed by the CRPF are
Besides Law and Order and counter insurgency duties, the role of CRPF in the General Elections, held repeatedly during the past few years, has been very significant and vital. This is especially true for the trouble torn States of J&K, Bihar and States of NorthEast. During the Parliamentary elections & State Assembly Election , the CRPF played a major role in the security arrangements.
One of the vital roles of the CRPF, which is not very evident, is guarding vital Central Govt. installations such as Airport, Powerhouses, Bridges, Doordarshan Kendras, All India Radio Stations, residence of Governers and Chief Ministers, Nationalised Banksand other Government establishments in insurgency affected States. The CRPF is ensuring the safety of the Democratic Institutions, and preventing the take over of civil society by the militants, in these highly disturbed areas. This contribution of theCRPF, though not very visible, is nonetheless very vital.
7.5% of the Force is deployed for the security of VIPs mostly in North-Eastern States, J&K, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh which include Governors, Chief Ministers, Ministers, MsP and MsLA of J&K, Assam,Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland, Tripura and Mizoram. CRPF is also providing security (Static guard) at the residence/office of Prime Minister of India, various Union Ministers and MsP and other dignitaries.
17.5% of the Force is deputed for guarding the important installations of Central and State Govts mostly in insurgency affected areas which includes Secretariats, Doordarshan Kendras, Telephone exchanges, Banks, Hydroelectric projects, Jails etc. CRPF is also deployed for the security of Parliament House.
10 Coys of CRPF are deployed for the security of three sensitive shrines i.e. Krishna Janma Bhoomi, Shahi Idgah Masjidcomplex (Mathura), Ram Janma Bhoomi- Barbi Masjid complex (Ayodhya) and Kashi Vishwanath Temple- Gyanvapi Mosque(Varanasi). 4 Coys of the Force are deputed for the security of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, Katra, Jammu (J&K).
Central Reserve Police Force is the largest Central Armed Police Force of India and has a glorified past and an eventful present.The history is replete with innumerable "SAGAs OF BRAVERY" which act as inspirational and guiding principles to this force.Since its inception in 1939, it has travelled a long way from providing assistance during the merger of small Princely States into Indian Union and handling of the Partition Riots. Today it is fighting a full scale guerrilla war in the Maoist affected zones. CRPFhas over the years fought some tough battles and stood along with the Army during war. Ten brave soldiers of CRPF achieved martyrdom when Chinese troops intruded into Indian Territory and attacked its patrol at Hot springs (Laddakh) on 21 Oct, 1959.Two CRPF companies deployed at Sardar Post in Kutch repulsed an attack of a brigade of Pakistan Army on 9th April 1965. The battle of Sardar Post is revered as the best battle ever fought in the history of Police forces. In the internal security front it foiled Parliament attack on 13 December, 2001 and Ayodhya attack on 27th July 2005.
CRPF also played a pivotal role in curbing militancy in Punjab during 1980s and insurgency in Tripura during 1990s. In 2001, onthe recommendation of group of Ministers, CRPF was designated as the premier internal security force of the country. Today,more than one third of the force is deployed in left wing extremist affected areas to control left-wing extremism. CRPF'scontributed vastly in wiping out the naxalism from West Bengal and from Kaimur and Rohtas areas of Bihar. The naxals were flushed out from Saranda forest area of Jharkhand which was a major base area for them. Despite scattered deployment, CRPF neutralized top maoist leader Kishanji in 2011 and made major forays into so called liberated naxal areas like Saranda ( in 2011),Maad (in 2012), Cut-off area (in 2012), Burha Pahad (in 2012), Silger & Pedia (in 2013).
CRPF also undertook rescue and relief operations during various natural calamities like Orissa Super Cyclone (1999), Gujarat Earthquake (2001), Tsunami (2004) and J&K Earthquake (2005). CRPF has proved it's mettle during various overseas UNdeployments like Srilanka (1987), Haiti (1995), Kosovo (2000) & Liberia (Women Contingent) (2007) also.
Till date, 2249 brave soldiers of CRPF have made supreme sacrifice of their lives in the service of the Nation. For display inoperational valour it has been decorated 01 George Cross, 03 King's PMG, 01 Ashok Chakra, 01 Kirti Chakra, 01 Vir Chakra, 12Shaurya Chakras,1 Padma Shree, 49 PPFSMG, 185 PPMG, 1028 PMG, 5 IPMG, 4 Vishist Seva Medal, 1 Yudh Seva Medal, 5Sena Medal, 91 PM's Police Medal for Life Saving and 2 Jeevan Raksha Padak.
In last five years CRPF has neutralized 988 militants/naxals, apprehended 7708, forced the surrender of 3398, recovered 3404arms, 110950 number of assorted ammunitions, 4074.11 kgs of explosives, 1710 grenades, 476 bombs, 17 rockets, 5182 IEDs,41504 detonators, 23680 gelatin sticks, 137657 kgs of narcotics and over 41 crores of cash.