**Executive Summary**
The Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, attended the 87th Raising Day celebrations of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Guwahati, Assam, highlighting the CRPF's contributions to India's internal security over its 86-year history. He noted the CRPF's role in transforming internal security hotspots into growth spots and its efforts to eliminate Naxalism, aiming for a Naxalism-free country by March 31, 2026. The event also marked the first time the force's Raising Day celebrations are being held in the Northeast.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **CRPF's History and Contributions:**
* The CRPF has been crucial in strengthening India's internal security and has set an example of dedication and bravery through sacrifices.
* The CRPF has played a key role in converting the country's three internal security hotspots into growth spots.
* Beginning with two battalions, the CRPF has grown to become the world's largest CAPF with 248 battalions and 325,000 personnel.
* The CRPF has contributed to victory in wars, foiling attacks on Parliament and Ram Janmabhoomi, and ensuring security during Amarnath Yatra and Mahakumbh.
* 2,270 CRPF jawans have made the supreme sacrifice to keep the country safe.
* **CRPF Day Parade & Recognition:**
* The CRPF Day Parade is being organized in different parts of the country, marking the first time it has been held in the North-East.
* 14 CRPF jawans have been awarded the Police Medal for Gallantry, 5 have received the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service, and 5 CRPF battalions have been honored with medals for outstanding performance.
* **Efforts Against Naxalism:**
* The CRPF has played a major role in bringing Naxalism to the verge of elimination.
* The country is targeted to be completely free from Naxalism by March 31, 2026.
* Under Operation Black Forest, CRPF personnel dismantled the strategic base of Naxalites after 21 days of operations in challenging conditions.
* **Other Contributions:**
* The CRPF foiled a terrorist attack on Parliament and thwarted the 2005 attack on Shri Ram Janmabhoomi.
* The CRPF played a significant role in ensuring peace after the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to a decrease in stone-pelting incidents.
* The CRPF has contributed to the successful conduct of religious festivals like the Mahakumbh and Amarnath Yatra.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder**: CRPF Personnel
**Impact**: Recognition of their contributions, bravery, and sacrifices in maintaining internal security and combating Naxalism. Increased pride in their role and achievements.
**Action Required**: Continue their dedication to duty and commitment to safeguarding the country's internal security and eliminating Naxalism by March 31, 2026.
**Stakeholder**: Citizens of India
**Impact**: Enhanced internal security, transformation of conflict zones into growth areas, and progress towards a Naxalism-free country, contributing to a safer and more developed nation.
**Action Required**: Support and appreciate the efforts of the CRPF and other security forces in maintaining peace and security.
**Stakeholder**: Government of India
**Impact**: Progress towards achieving its goals of internal security, peace, and development in conflict-affected regions. Validation of its policies and initiatives related to CRPF and Naxalism eradication.
**Action Required**: Continue providing resources and support to the CRPF and other security forces to achieve the goal of a Naxalism-free country by March 31, 2026.
**Stakeholder**: Jammu and Kashmir Residents
**Impact**: Improved peace and security, evidenced by reduced stone-pelting incidents and increased industrial development, leading to a more stable and prosperous environment.
**Action Required**: Support the ongoing efforts to maintain peace and security and participate in the development initiatives in the region.
Key Entities Referenced
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF): India's largest Central Armed Police Force, responsible for internal security and tackling Naxalism.
Ministry of Home Affairs: The Indian government ministry primarily responsible for internal security and policy.
Naxalism: A Maoist insurgency in India, the elimination of which is a focus of the CRPF.
Guwahati, Assam: Location of the 87th Raising Day celebrations of CRPF.
Operation Black Forest: An operation by the CRPF against Naxalites.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home Minister and Minister of
Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah attends the 87th
Raising Day celebrations of CRPF in Guwahati,
Assam
In its 86-year history, CRPF has set an example of dedication
and bravery through sacrifices and India’s internal security
cannot be imagined without it
Through the bravery of CRPF, country’s three internal security
hotspots have been transformed into growth spots of
development
Starting with just two battalions, CRPF has today become
world’s largest CAPF with 248 battalions and 325,000
personnel
Whether it is victory in wars, foiling attack on Parliament and
Ram Janmabhoomi, or ensuring security during Amarnath
Yatra and Mahakumbh, CRPF stands as a guarantee of the
enemy’s defeat
Modi Government’s decision to organize the CRPF Day
Parade in different parts of the country has led to this parade
being held in the North-East for the first time, which is a
matter of pride
CRPF has played a major role in bringing Naxalism to the
verge of elimination and the country will be free from
Naxalism before 31 MarchBravery, courage and determination of CRPF personnel in
Operation Black Forest will be written in golden letters in
history of fight against Naxalism
Posted On: 21 FEB 2026 3:04PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today participated in the 87th Raising
Day celebrations of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Guwahati, Assam. On this occasion,
Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Director General of CRPF, and many other
dignitaries were present.
In his address, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that for 86 years,
CRPF has been strengthening the country's internal security with its outstanding performance, valor,
patience, bravery and sacrifices. He stated that the internal security of the country cannot even be
imagined without CRPF. He said that since its inception till date, over 86 years, the CRPF has stood as a
strong pillar of the nation's internal security due to its dedication to duty and has been delivering results as
well. Shri Shah said that 2,270 jawans of CRPF have made the supreme sacrifice to keep the country safe,
and the entire nation thanks and pays tributes to them. He emphasized that it is precisely because of this
dedication to duty and sacrifices made that the CRPF jawans have protected the nation on numerous
occasions.
Shri Amit Shah said that 11-12 years ago, the country had three major hotspots—Jammu and Kashmir,
Left-Wing Extremism-affected areas, and the Northeast—which had become sores for the nation's internal
security. He said that today, success has been achieved in establishing peace in all three places. He added
that in these three hotspots, bomb blasts, bullets, bandhs, blockades, and destruction were once prominent,
but now all three regions have become engines of growth, driving the development of the entire country
forward. He said that without the sacrifice made by these CRPF martyrs, it would have been impossible to
bring these three hotspots onto the path of development.
Union Home Minister said that today's CRPF Day Parade is quite significant from another perspective. He
said that in the 86-year history of CRPF, this is the first time the force's Raising Day celebrations are being
held in the Northeast, in Assam, which is a matter of pride for all of us and the entire Northeast. He said
that in 2019, it was decided that the annual parade of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) would be
held in different parts of the country, and today, the CRPF parade is being held in one of the most
important parts of the country—the Northeast. Shri Shah said that today, 14 CRPF jawans have been
awarded the Police Medal for Gallantry, 5 jawans have received the President's Police Medal for
Distinguished Service, and 5 CRPF battalions have been honored with medals for outstanding
performance. He said that the journey of the CRPF began in 1939 with just 2 battalions, and today, with
248 battalions and a strength of 3.25 lakh personnel, the CRPF has become the world's largest CAPF. He
emphasized that the CRPF has played a key role in protecting internal security and sovereignty of the
entire country. Shri Shah said that on 9th April 1965, in the Rann of Kutch, CRPF displayed great bravery
while confronting the Pakistani Army at Sardar Post, and therefore 9 April is observed every year as
‘Shaurya Diwas’.
Union Home Minister said that even when 78 police personnel in Kolkata were killed in an attack by Left-
wing extremists, the CRPF continued to hold the front with courage. He said that the CRPF also foiled the
terrorist attack on Parliament and thwarted the 2005 attack on Shri Ram Janmabhoomi. He said that CRPF
personnel never fail in their duty. Shri Shah further said that after the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu
and Kashmir, not a single bullet had to be fired, and the CRPF played a very significant role in ensuring
this. He added that incidents of stone-pelting in Jammu and Kashmir have come down to zero, industriesare coming in, and development is taking place, with major contributions from the CRPF, the BSF, and
especially the Jammu and Kashmir Police. He also said that the CRPF played a big role in establishing
peace in the North-Eastern states.
Shri Amit Shah said that Naxalism had spread across 12 states and countless districts of the country, and
when the Government of India resolved to uproot this menace, personnel of the CRPF and the CoBRA
force played the most crucial role in this effort. He said that such a huge, complex, and difficult task was
completed in just three years, and it is because of the CRPF personnel that we can confidently say that by
31 March 2026, the country will be completely free from Naxalism. Shri Shah said that under Operation
Black Forest against Naxalites, CRPF personnel carried out operations for 21 days in extremely
challenging geographical conditions, enduring temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius under the scorching
sun, and eliminated the Naxalites’ stronghold. He added that displaying exceptional courage, CRPF
jawans did not retreat even an inch while operating for 21 days on rocky hills heated by 45-degree
temperatures, ultimately dismantling the strategic base of the Naxalites. He said that the CRPF and the
CoBRA force have made a very significant contribution in freeing the country from red terror.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that CRPF jawans have made a significant
contribution to the successful conduct of several religious festivals, the Mahakumbh, and the Amarnath
Yatra. He added that the CRPF has consistently strengthened and safeguarded the country’s internal
security.
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