New Delhi, April 17: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has lauded the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for its pivotal role in maintaining law and order in Jammu and Kashmir following the repeal of Article 370.
While addressing the 85th CRPF Raising Day celebrations in Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh, Shah praised the force for its exemplary discipline and dedication, especially during the sensitive period after the constitutional amendment.
“At a time when unrest was widely anticipated, the CRPF ensured peace prevailed. Not a single bullet was fired, and polling stations remained secure—this achievement is truly historic,” Shah stated, speaking as the chief guest at the ceremony.
He described the CRPF as a cornerstone of national security, particularly in its operations against terrorism and separatist movements. “From counterinsurgency operations in Kashmir to fighting Maoist extremism, the CRPF remains our frontline defense force,” he noted.
Paying tribute to the 2,264 CRPF personnel who lost their lives in service, Shah said their sacrifices would forever be remembered in India’s journey towards its centenary of independence in 2047.
“The CRPF’s presence in tense situations brings a sense of calm to the nation. They don’t just manage conflict—they restore peace,” the Home Minister said.
Reflecting on the force’s legacy since its establishment in 1939 as the Crown Representative Police, Shah acknowledged the contribution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in shaping its post-independence role. Now the largest paramilitary force globally, the CRPF boasts a strength of three lakh personnel across 248 battalions and numerous command units.
Emphasizing the CRPF’s role after the 2019 revocation of Article 370, Shah credited the force with ensuring that elections in J&K were conducted smoothly and without major incidents. “The world was watching closely, but peace was maintained thanks to the strategic deployment of the CRPF and other forces,” he said.
He further pointed out the CRPF’s success in preventing multiple terrorist attacks through effective intelligence coordination and forward deployments.
Shifting focus to the fight against Naxalism, Shah applauded the CRPF’s Cobra Battalion for limiting Maoist influence to just four districts. “Once they aimed to stretch their red corridor from Pashupatinath to Tirupati. Today, their presence has drastically shrunk,” he said.
He also credited the CRPF with reducing Naxalite violence by over 70 percent over the past decade, supported by the establishment of over 400 forward operating bases in affected regions. The government aims to eliminate Naxalism entirely by March 31, 2026—with the CRPF leading the charge.
Highlighting historic moments, Shah recounted CRPF’s valor in the 1959 Hot Spring clash with Chinese forces, the 1965 Sardar Post battle against Pakistan, and their role in thwarting attacks on Parliament and Ram Janmabhoomi in the early 2000s.
He noted the force’s essential role in safeguarding major religious pilgrimages like Amarnath and Vaishno Devi, and during mass events such as the Kumbh Mela. Shah also acknowledged the CRPF’s contributions to UN peacekeeping missions in Sri Lanka, Haiti, Kosovo, and Liberia.
“The CRPF is the most decorated force among all Central Armed Police Forces, with 2,708 medals to its name,” he said.
The Home Minister highlighted various welfare measures introduced under the Modi government, including the Ayushman CAPF health scheme, expanded air courier services, improved housing via an e-portal, and increased women’s recruitment with new accommodation facilities.
He also praised the CRPF’s active participation in national campaigns like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Har Ghar Tiranga, along with a massive plantation drive under which over six crore saplings have been planted in the last five years.
