86th raising day of CRPF: Celebrating 85 years of gallantry and glory

Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Union Home Secretary, was the Chief Guest at the event held at Shaurya Officers' Institute, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.

In keeping with the tradition of honouring the gallantry award winners, Bhalla presented gallantry medals to the brave men and the families of the martyrs, which included three "Veer Naris."

The 27 Gallantry Medal awardees included ten recipients for their bravery in Chhattisgarh, six for their gallant action against Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in Jharkhand, and eleven in Jammu and Kashmir for their heroic deeds against the terrorists.

Earlier in the day, DG Anish Dayal Singh, along with other senior officers of CRPF, laid a wreath at the National Police Memorial and paid homage to the 2266 bravehearts of CRPF who sacrificed their lives for the nation.

In his address, the Union Home Secretary highlighted the multifaceted roles and responsibilities of the CRPF and commended the force for its glorious history of sacrifice and dedication. He praised CRPF's role in maintaining peace in the valley post-abrogation of Article 370 and for their valuable contribution to peaceful conduct of 2024 General Elections.

On the occasion, Bhalla also inaugurated a state-of-the-art vehicle diagnostic lab at the Central Training College, CRPF, Nimach. This unique lab will train CRPF's motor mechanic staff on repairing new-age vehicles (BS-VI), making CRPF the first among CAPFs to establish such a facility.

While welcoming the Union Home Secretary, Anish Dayal Singh, DG CRPF, recalled the rich history and valour of the force, referring to the Battle of Hot Springs against Chinese troops in 1959 and the Battle of Sardar Post in 1965, where two companies of CRPF repelled an entire brigade of the Pakistan Army, while inflicting major casualties.

DG Singh also discussed initiatives to resolve issues concerning families of martyrs and expedite the recruitment process for their kin under the compassionate appointment category. He mentioned various MoUs signed with educational institutes to provide free seats for the wards of CRPF personnel.

Formed in Neemuch with just one battalion in 1939, the CRPF has grown into a formidable force, with 248 battalions deployed throughout the length and breadth of the country. The force has successfully addressed the evolving internal security challenges.

With the highest number of Gallantry Medals among all CAPFs, CRPF stands as a testament to its exceptional journey from the Crown Representative Police to being the guardian of the nation's internal security. The force remains committed to its ethos of "Service and Loyalty" and expresses gratitude to the nation for its trust and support. (ANI)