HM Amit Shah Hails Central Reserve Police Force as Pillar of Internal Security at 87th Raising Day
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Sunday attended the 87th Raising Day celebrations of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Guwahati, Assam, where Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Director General of CRPF and other dignitaries were present.
HM Shah said that for 86 years, CRPF has strengthened the country’s internal security through outstanding performance, valour, patience, bravery and sacrifices. He stated that internal security cannot be imagined without CRPF. Shah noted that over 86 years, CRPF has stood as a strong pillar due to its dedication and delivered results. He said 2,270 CRPF jawans have made the supreme sacrifice, and the nation thanks and pays tributes to them.
The Home Minister said that 11-12 years ago, the country faced three major internal security hotspots — Jammu and Kashmir, Left-Wing Extremism-affected areas and the Northeast — which had become sores for national security. He added that today, peace has been established in all three places, transforming them from areas of bomb blasts, bullets, bandhs, blockades and destruction into engines of growth driving development across the country. Shah said without the sacrifices of CRPF martyrs, it would have been impossible to bring these regions onto the path of development.
The Home Minister highlighted that the CRPF Day Parade is significant as it is the first time in the force’s 86-year history that the Raising Day celebrations are being held in the Northeast, in Assam, which is a matter of pride for the entire region. He recalled that in 2019, the government decided to hold the annual parade of Central Armed Police Forces in different parts of the country. Shah said 14 CRPF jawans were awarded the Police Medal for Gallantry, 5 received the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service, and 5 battalions were honoured for outstanding performance. He noted that CRPF began in 1939 with 2 battalions and has grown to 248 battalions and 325,000 personnel, becoming the world’s largest CAPF.
HM Shah said CRPF displayed great bravery on April 9, 1965, in the Rann of Kutch at Sardar Post against the Pakistani Army, leading to April 9 being observed as ‘Shaurya Diwas’. He added that CRPF held the front with courage after 78 police personnel were killed in Kolkata by Left-wing extremists, foiled the terrorist attack on Parliament, thwarted the 2005 attack on Ram Janmabhoomi, and never failed in duty. Shah said after the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, not a single bullet was fired, stone-pelting incidents fell to zero, industries are coming in, and development is taking place, with major contributions from CRPF, BSF and Jammu and Kashmir Police. He added that CRPF played a big role in establishing peace in the North-Eastern states.
HM Shah said Naxalism had spread across 12 states and countless districts, but when the government resolved to uproot it, CRPF and CoBRA personnel played the most crucial role. He said the task was completed in three years, and due to CRPF, the country will be completely free from Naxalism by March 31, 2026. Shah said under Operation Black Forest, CRPF personnel operated for 21 days in extremely challenging conditions with temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius on rocky hills, refusing to retreat and dismantling the Naxalites’ strategic base. He added that the bravery, courage and determination of CRPF jawans in Operation Black Forest will be written in golden letters in the history of the fight against Naxalism.
HM Shah said CRPF has made significant contributions to successful conduct of religious festivals, Mahakumbh and Amarnath Yatra, consistently strengthening and safeguarding internal security.
