Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah attended the 84th Raising Day celebrations of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) as the Chief Guest at Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, today. The Union Home Minister also took the salute of the parade on the occasion. Shri Amit Shah also inaugurated Prasar Bharati's news bulletin for the Bastar Division in the local language of Halbi.

In his address, Shri Amit Shah said that it is a matter of great joy for all of us as this day is being celebrated in Chhattisgarh for the first time after the establishment of CRPF and since the beginning of the problem of left wing extremism. He said that 763 CRPF personnel have made the supreme sacrifice during the drive to end Left Wing Extremism in Chhattisgarh. Today our fight against Left Wing Extremism is at a decisive stage, for which the martyred Jawans have made immense contribution.

The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that whether it is Jammu and Kashmir or bringing peace in the Northeast or fighting against Left Wing Extremism to bring development to the tribals, CRPF Jawans have displayed unparalleled valour and bravery in every field. He said that the golden history of CRPF in the field of internal security of the country has been marked by the spirit of bravery, valour and sacrifice of all the jawans. Shri Shah said that three development projects of CRPF worth Rs 174 crore have also been launched here today. He said that Akashvani has also started Prasar Bharati's weekly news bulletin in Halbi language from today. The Union Home Minister congratulated All India Radio and Doordarshan for starting the first news bulletin in tribal language in Chhattisgarh. He said that this will not only strengthen our local languages, but people living in this region will be able to get news of the world over and connect with the country and the world.

Shri Amit Shah said that today, there is also a program of flag-in of CRPF women motorcycle team. These 75 women Jawans along with 38 motorcycles have reached here today after completing a journey of 1848 kilometers which they started on 09^th March, 2023. He said that the bravery of these women Jawans will help in disseminating the message of Nari Shakti in the entire country.

Union Home Minister said that CRPF was established on 27 July, 1939, but the force was given its modern form by the Iron Man and the country's first Home Minister Sardar Patel. He said that on December 28, 1949, Sardar Patel renamed it as the Central Reserve Police Force and on March 19, 1950, he gave the insignia to this force. Shri Shah said that the force, which started with a single battalion is the biggest CAPF in the country today, with 246 battalions, 4 Zonal Headquarters, 21 Sector Headquarters, 2 Operational Sector Headquarters, 17 Operational Ranges, 42 Administrative Ranges and over 3.25 lakh personnel.

Shri Amit Shah said that on October 21, 1959, while fighting the Chinese army at the Hot Spring in Ladakh, the CRPF Jawans showed indomitable courage and spirit of sacrifice and achieved martyrdom. To make their martyrdom immortal, the Nation decided to observe 21^st October as Police Commemoration Day. He said that the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has built the National Police Memorial at Chanakyapuri in New Delhi, where every year on 21^st October, tribute is paid to the martyred police personnel. He said that on April 9, 1965, the CRPF bravely gave a befitting reply to the Pakistan Army at Sardar Post in the desert of Kutch and to mark the day, 09^th April is observed as the Shaurya Diwas by the whole country.

Shri Amit Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the country's security forces have fought a decisive battle against Left Wing Extremism in the last 9 years and achieved huge success. He said that the CRPF has also been able to remove the obstructions in path of development, caused by the Left Wing Extremists. Shri Shah said that in all the problem areas, the CRPF, along with the local police and by encouraging them, created an impenetrable force and showcased its organizational ability.

The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the incidents of Left Wing Extremism related violence have come down by 76%, from the peak of 2010 and the loss of lives has also come down by about 78%. Apart from this, the CRPF has also formed a joint task force with the police of different states to stop the Left Wing Extremists from taking advantage of the interstate borders. He said that today the tri-junction of Budha Pahad, Chakarbanda and Parasnath has been freed from left wing extremism and brought into the mainstream of the country and all development works are being carried out there today. Shri Shah said that the security vacuum in Bihar and Jharkhand is about to end and this has been possible only because of the combined strength of the brave CRPF Jawans and the police forces. He said that to curb source of funding of Left Wing Extremists, the Government is taking strict action by registering cases by NIA and ED.

Shri Amit Shah said that the development works of the Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi are now reaching the last person in the Left Wing Extremism-affected areas, as well. He said that out of 70,000 km roads sanctioned for development, 11,000 km road has been completed, 2343 mobile towers have been installed, Eklavya School are being opened in Priority Areas, 1258 bank branches have been opened in just 5 years, 1348 ATMs have been opened, the work of opening 47 ITIs and 68 skill development centers under the skill development scheme has also been completed. He said that the pace of development is increasing in this area due to the joint efforts of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, CRPF and local police.

The Union Home Minister said that government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has taken several steps for the welfare of CRPF Jawans. 400 local youths have been recruited in the Chhattisgarh Bastaria Battalion, roads have been built in the Left Wing Extremism-affected area and CRPF has also contributed in making 398 big and small bridges. He said that CRPF also contributed in making Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan a success by hoisting more than 25 lakh tricolors. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, a lot of focus has been given to the modernization of CRPF. He said that 14 projects have been completed in 2022-23 alone. 4309 crore rupees have been spent on CRPF for providing trauma centre in Jagdalpur and basic facilities in battalions. To increase the housing satisfaction ratio, about 11,000 houses have been constructed and work is going on to construct 28,500 more houses for CAPFs. Under the Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme, every month, Rs. 3000 to girls and Rs. 2500 to boys are also being provided.

Shri Amit Shah told the CRPF Jawans that the government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is standing with them in providing them every facility and addressing their problems. He expressed confidence that while further strengthening glorious history of 84 years of CRPF, the force will continue to serve Maa Bharati with dedication till the complete elimination of Left Wing Extremism is achieved.

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RK/AY/AKS