'Bastariya' battalion, comprising recruits from Naxal-hit districts of Chhattisgarh, commissioned into service

Ambikapur: CRPF's 'Bastariya' battalion - comprising recruits from Naxal-hit districts in the state - was commissioned into service on Monday. The battalion is named 'Bastariya' as its members are from the Bastar region in southern Chhattisgarh, bordering Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Telangana.

Speaking at the passing out parade, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the life of a jawan cannot be compensated with money, but as a token of gratitude, the government has decided that not less than Rs 1 crore should be given to the family of a martyred personnel. "Naxalism and extremism are a challenge, but I want to say that this menace is now shrinking and losing ground," he said.

Singh said the decision to set up the specialised battalion was taken in view of the courage and valour shown by the tribal people to take on any tough challenge. Praising the new battalion, he said recruits have shown that "talent, ability and calibre are not just confined to big cities and urban areas but also exist in the people of Bastar."

The Home Minister also said that establishing the Bastariya battalion was a well thought out decision of the Centre as the government knows that people from the Schedule Tribes have an "immense sense of patriotism and national pride".

Chief Minister Raman Singh, CRPF Director General RR Bhatangar, Chhattisgarh Director General of Police A N Upadhyay were among those present at the event. 

केन्द्रीय रिजर्व पुलिस बल की #241Bn के दीक्षांत समारोह की कुछ झलकियां। #बस्तरियाबटालियन pic.twitter.com/X1tcCMwdzX — CRPF (@crpfindia) May 21, 2018

The March Past begins.. #BastariyaBattalion @crpfindia pic.twitter.com/U07Ma7XS30 — HMO India (@HMOIndia) May 21, 2018

केन्द्रीय रिजर्व पुलिस बल की #241Bn बस्तर के प्रतिनिधित्व के कारण #बस्तरियाबटालियन के नाम से भी जानी जाती है। इस बटालियन के जवानों का चयन छत्तीसगढ़ के गंभीर रूप से नक्सल प्रभावित क्षेत्रों से किया गया है। pic.twitter.com/VEWGKcKKGa — CRPF (@crpfindia) May 21, 2018

Union Home Minister, Shri @rajnathsingh presenting the trophies, on the occasion of the Passing Out Parade of the ‘Bastariya Battalion’ of CRPF, at Ambikapur, in Chhattisgarh. Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, @drramansingh is also seen pic.twitter.com/JF7ZGzxLk9 — MIB India (@MIB_India) May 21, 2018

गत ४४ सप्ताहों में इन जवानों को माओवादियों के विरुद्ध चलाए जा रहे अभियानौं में काम आने वाली हर विधा में में पारंगत बनाया गया है। प्रशिक्षण के बाद #बस्तरियाबटालियन को छत्तीसगढ़ में चलाए जा रहे नक्सल विरोधी अभियानौं के लिए तैनात किया जाएगा। pic.twitter.com/F32rFTryQv — CRPF (@crpfindia) May 21, 2018

About Bastariya  battalion: 

The unique battalion - recruited from Sukma, Dantewada, Narayanpur and Bijapur districts of undivided Bastar - has been raised with a specific purpose to strengthen security forces' operations in areas where they have witnessed maximum reverses for a few years owing to a lack of concrete intelligence and familiarisation with locals and the topography.

The hardcore, localised battalion of the young combatants will be immediately deployed for anti-Naxal operations in some of the worst Left Wing Extremism-hit areas such as Sukma, Dantewada and Bijapur, a senior official was quoted as saying by PTI. The recruits have been trained for about 44 weeks in jungle warfare, weapons firing, map reading, police laws and unarmed combat, he added.

The Centre had sanctioned the battalion in July 2018. The concept to raise the team was mooted with the aim that the recruits, mostly tribals, will help address local issues such as unemployment, provide a tactical advantage to CRPF in operations, intelligence collection and language benefits. The CRPF is the lead anti-Naxal operation force and has deployed over 35,000 personnel in Chhattisgarh. 

(With PTI inputs)