Home Minister Amit Shah Says CRPF Key to Internal Security, Naxalism Nearing End
Guwahati, Feb 21 Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Friday attended the 87th Raising Day celebrations of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Guwahati, describing the force as the backbone of India’s internal security.
Home Minister said that in its 86-year journey, the CRPF has become synonymous with bravery, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to the nation. Paying tribute to over 2,270 personnel who laid down their lives, he said India’s internal security cannot be imagined without the force.
Highlighting the transformation of Jammu and Kashmir, Left-Wing Extremism-affected regions and the Northeast, Minister said areas once marked by violence and unrest have now emerged as growth engines due to sustained security efforts led by the CRPF.
Calling the Guwahati parade historic, he noted that for the first time the CRPF Raising Day is being celebrated in the Northeast, following the government’s decision to rotate CAPF parades across different regions.
From starting with just two battalions in 1939 to becoming the world’s largest CAPF with 248 battalions and over 3.25 lakh personnel, Shah said the CRPF has played a decisive role in counter-terror operations, including foiling the Parliament attack and securing major religious events like the Amarnath Yatra and Mahakumbh.
On Left-Wing Extremism, he expressed confidence that the country will be free from Naxalism by March 31, 2026, crediting CRPF and its CoBRA units for sustained operations such as Operation Black Forest conducted in extreme conditions.
Reiterating the force’s contribution to national unity and sovereignty, Shah said the CRPF continues to stand as a guarantee of the nation’s safety and stability.
