‘Ensured peaceful polls after Art 370 abrogation’
NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Thursday credited the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) with playing a historic role in ensuring peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370, including the peaceful conduct of Assembly elections without a single incident of firing or booth capture.
Addressing the CRPF Day Parade 2025 as the Chief Guest in Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh—the birthplace of the force—Shah said the people of Kashmir had many apprehensions, but CRPF and other security agencies upheld peace and democratic order. “It’s a huge achievement that elections were held without a single bullet being fired,” he said.
The Home Minister paid homage to the 2,264 CRPF personnel who laid down their lives for the nation. “On behalf of a grateful nation, I bow to their supreme sacrifice. The immortal saga of their bravery will be inscribed in golden letters in the golden book of India’s 100 years of independence,” he said.
Highlighting the force’s contributions across security challenges, Shah said CRPF personnel have always made the supreme sacrifice to maintain the unity and integrity of the country. “Whether fighting terrorists in Kashmir, maintaining peace in the Northeast, or limiting Naxal activities to just four districts, CRPF has led from the front,” he said. He added that the presence of CRPF personnel at any unrest-prone area inspires confidence that the situation will be brought under control.
Shah highlighted the success of CRPF’s elite Cobra Battalion, stating that “dreaded Naxalites shudder” at the sight of its personnel. “The Naxals, who once dreamt of spreading red terror from Pashupatinath to Tirupati, are now confined to just four districts, largely due to the CRPF’s efforts,” he said.
He added that CRPF has established over 400 Forward Operating Bases in Naxal-affected areas in the past five years, resulting in a 70 percent drop in Naxal violence over the last decade. “We have set a target to make India Naxalism-free by March 31, 2026, and we will achieve it with CRPF’s strength,” Shah asserted.
The Home Minister recalled CRPF’s role in several critical moments in post-independence India. On October 21, 1959, CRPF personnel were martyred at Hot Spring in Ladakh while fighting the Chinese Army. Shah said that this sacrifice is commemorated every year on Police Smriti Diwas. He also cited the 1965 face-off at Sardar Post in the Rann of Kutch, where CRPF personnel gave a befitting reply to the Pakistan Army, leading to the observance of April 9 as Shaurya Diwas.
He noted that CRPF thwarted major terror attacks, including the 2001 Parliament attack and the 2005 attack on Ram Janmabhoomi, and has played key roles in securing the Ram Janmabhoomi, Krishna Janmabhoomi, Amarnath Yatra, and Mata Vaishno Devi.
Tracing the CRPF’s evolution, Shah said it was formed in 1939 as the Crown Representative Police and was restructured under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister. “Today, with about 3 lakh personnel serving in 248 battalions, 4 zonal headquarters, 21 sector headquarters, and multiple ranges, CRPF is the largest paramilitary force not just in India, but in the world,” he said.
He praised the CRPF’s contribution to UN peacekeeping missions in Sri Lanka, Haiti, Kosovo, and Liberia. He said CRPF has received 2,708 medals to date, the highest among all CAPFs.
Shah said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, several steps have been taken to ensure the welfare of CAPF personnel. These include the start of air courier service in seven remote areas, announcement of the Eighth Pay Commission, distribution of over 42 lakh Ayushman CAPF health cards, and improved housing satisfaction through the CAPF e-Housing portal, under which over 1 lakh houses have been allotted.
He added that the government has promoted women’s inclusion in the force, with 124 women barracks approved, 109 completed, and 450 more planned. Other measures include extending the Pradhan Mantri Scholarship Scheme to children of CAPF personnel, increasing disability ex-gratia by 50 percent, and expanding Central Police Welfare Stores through 119 master stores and 1,794 sub-stores.
Shah also commended CRPF’s social outreach. He said the force has actively participated in national campaigns like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Har Ghar Tiranga, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, Swachhata Hi Seva, and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam. CAPFs have planted over 6 crore saplings in five years, exceeding their 5-crore target. “I planted the first sapling at CRPF Gurugram; the 1-croreth was planted in Nanded, the 4-croreth in Uttar Pradesh, and today, over 6 crore saplings have been planted, reflecting CRPF’s commitment to the environment,” he said.
Shah said the CRPF Day Parade being held in Neemuch is part of the government’s initiative—launched in 2019—to celebrate the foundation days of all security forces across various regions. “The contribution of CRPF cannot be separated from national security,” he said.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and CRPF Director General Anish Dayal Singh were also present at the event.
