Neemuch, April 17: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) marked its 86th Raising Day with a grand celebration in Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh, on Thursday. The occasion was graced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
Though CRPF Day is officially commemorated every year on March 19 — the day in 1950 when then Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel presented the force with its flag — this year, the celebrations were extended and held on April 17.
Originally formed on July 27, 1939, as the Crown Representatives Police in response to increasing political unrest in princely states, the CRPF is one of the oldest central paramilitary forces in India. The force was created in alignment with the All-India Congress Committee’s 1936 Madras Resolution, which emphasized the need for a robust internal security force.
Following independence, the CRPF was restructured and formally renamed the Central Reserve Police Force through an Act of Parliament on December 28, 1949. This act also placed the CRPF under the authority of the Union Government and outlined its role as a central armed police force. Sardar Patel envisioned the CRPF as a versatile force that would adapt to the evolving security demands of a young, independent India.
Today, the CRPF stands as a formidable force comprising 246 battalions. It operates under the leadership of a Director General and is organized into four key zones: Jammu, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Guwahati.
The CRPF plays a vital role in maintaining law and order across the country. Its responsibilities include crowd and riot control, anti-insurgency operations, and cooperation with forest departments to prevent poaching and illegal logging. The force is also instrumental in disaster relief efforts during floods, earthquakes, and cyclones.
Specialized units within the CRPF include the Rapid Action Force (RAF), the elite anti-Naxal Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), the VIP Security Wing, and all-women Mahila Battalions — each trained to meet specific challenges and operational scenarios.
The 86th Raising Day celebration paid tribute to the legacy, bravery, and continuing evolution of the CRPF as a pillar of India’s internal security system.
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