The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is a paramilitary force under the Home Ministry. Its primary role is to assist states and Union Territories in police operations to maintain law and order and contain insurgency. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is India’s largest Central Armed Police Force. CRPF was originally constituted as Crown Representative Police force in 1939. 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 the Independence the force was renamed as Central Armed Police Force. Then Home Minister of India focused on the importance of CRPF and its role in developing the nation.
Shri V.G.Kanetkar was appointed as first DG, CRPF.
In the forming days, CRPF detachments were deployed in Bhuj, Gujrat, Patiala, Punjab, and Chambal regions. The efforts displayed were appreciatable. CRPF played a vital role in the amalgamation of Junagarh and a small princely state Kathiawar in Gujarat in the Indian Nation. 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 October 21, 1959. During the War with China in 1962, the Police force once again assisted the Indian Army in Arunachal Pradesh.
CRPF is the largest CAPF having 01 Force Headquarters, 04 Zonal Headquarters, 21 Administrative Sectors, 02 Operational Sectors, 39 Administrative Ranges, 17 Operational Ranges,43 Group Centres, 22 Training Institutions, 04 Composite Hospitals (100 Bedded), 18 Composite Hospitals (50 bedded), 03 CWS, 07 AWS, 03 MWS and SWS, 208 GD Battalions, 06 Mahila Battalions 15 Rapid Action Force, 10 CoBRA Battalions,05 Signal Battalions,01 PDC & 01 SDG.
The mighty force, with a strength of about 3.25 lakh personnel, is the country’s largest paramilitary force and is well organised from the root level even designated as the lead internal security combat unit. Even at section level, persons from all parts of the Country are mixed up. They are peace custodians and sentinels of India’s integrity.
Women in CRPF
Women also constitute a large number of the Police Force. CRPF is the only Para Military Force in the Country that has 06 Mahila (Ladies) Battalions. At present Mahila, personnel is deployed on active duty in Jammu & Kashmir, Ayodhya, Manipur, Assam, and other parts of the country where they are doing a commendable job. ln addition each RAF battalion has a Mahila (Ladies) component consisting of 106 personnel. First Mahila Bn in CRPF, the 88(M) Bn was created in 1986 with HQR in Delhi. At present, there are
- 88(M)Battalion
- 135(M)Battalion
- 213(M)Battalion
- 232(M)Battalion
- 233(M)Battalion
- 240(M)Battalion
These women have shown their discipline as well as action in sports also and have several medals at different levels worldwide.
Women as CoBRA Commandos:-
CoBRA commandos or “Jungle Warriors “are specialized in Jungle war. This Commando force has been raised for guerilla/jungle warfare type operations for dealing with extremists and insurgents. They undergo rigorous Commando & Jungle warfare training. 10 CoBRA units raised between 2008-2011 have been trained, equipped and deployed in almost every corner of the country. The CRPF is considering for induction of women personnel in its specialized jungle warfare commando force CoBRA. Ten Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) units with over 12,000 personnel were raised under the CRPF in 2009 for undertaking intelligence-based jungle warfare operations.
What best it would be for women than getting inducted as Commandos in CoBRA. There would be a lot of opportunities to serve in the welfare of the nation. With the growing rate of women participation in sports, politics, crimes it is a little harsh for men to handle these legal offenses. Thus, Women in CoBRA’s could be a very strategic and important decision.
This decision would also be a hallmark step for women’s empowerment and will prove that women can also take part in everything along with men; the matter is just to give them a chance.
Jai Hind.
