Rapid Action Force
The Rapid Action Force (RAF), is a specialized rapid reaction wing of the Central Reserve Police Force of India established to deal with riot and crowd control situations.[2]
Rapid Action Force
RAF
"Serving Humanity with Sensitive Policing"
11 December, 1991
1,00,000 Active Personnel
New Delhi, India
- Amit Shah, Union Home Minister
- Sunil Joon, Inspector General of Police, RAF
- 7 October
History[edit]
RAF was raised on 11 December 1991 with headquarters in New Delhi. It became fully operational on 7 October 1992, to deal with riots, riot like situations, crowd control, rescue and relief operations, and related unrest.[2][3] The first five battalions were raised by October 1992 and an additional 5 battalions were added in April 1994. In October 2003, with 11 years of service, the force was presented with the President's colours.[2] On 9 November 2013, the RAF Academy of Public Order was established in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.[4][5] In 2017, the Indian government approved an additional five battalions to be based in New Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.[6]
Role[edit]
United Nations Peace Keeping Operations[edit]
The CRPF female and male contingents under the arrangements of RAF are deployed in United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), Monrovia and Zwedru in UN Peacekeeping mission since 2007–08. CRPF Female Formed Police Unit was the first of its kind in the world, which was deployed under the aegis of UN Peace Keeping Mission.[2]