CRPF raises Bastariya Battalion to combat Naxals activities in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has commissioned special unit called Bastariya Battalion (numbered 241) to combat Naxals activities in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. This is for first time CRFP has raised special battalion that includes local representation to enhance combat capabilities in Naxal-hit area of Bastar district.

241 Bastariya Battalion

241 Bastariya Battalion comprises total 739 local tribal youths including 198 women combatants (33% female candidates as per government policy) selected from four highly Naxal infested district in Chhattisgarh, i.e Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur and Sukma. It will be deployed in Special Operation Zone (SOZ) of Chhattisgarh to fight against naxals.
To raise this battalion, CRPF had undertaken special recruitment drive to recruit 743 rural ST candidates to give a fair chance to the aspirants. It also had imparted pre-educational and physical training during the recruitment drive to ensure maximum participation and equal opportunities in coordination with state administration.

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)

CRPF is the largest central armed police force or paramilitary force in India. It functions under the aegis of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).  It was established in 1939, under Crown Representative’s Police but after independence, it was made statutory after enactment of the CRPF Act, 1949. Its primary role is to assist States/Union Territories in police operations to maintain law and order and contain the insurgency. Apart from anti-Naxal operations, CRPF personnel also carries out several operations in situations of crisis like terrorist attacks, counter-terrorism operations, rescuing citizens during terrorist attacks among others.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2018