CRPF pulls 1,000-plus battalion out of Sukma, sends it to Manipur
The CRPF has moved a battalion of over 1,000 personnel from Sukma in Chhattisgarh to Manipur, the first such pullout since armed Maoism was declared over.
Livefeed News DeskUpdated · 2 min read
Quick answer
The CRPF has withdrawn a general duty battalion of more than 1,000 personnel from Sukma in Chhattisgarh and sent it to Manipur, where ethnic violence has run for over three years. It is the first full central armed police battalion pulled from an anti-Naxal area since the Centre declared armed Maoism over in March.
Key facts
- The battalion has more than 1,000 personnel.
- It was stationed in Sukma district in south Bastar.
- It is the first full CAPF battalion withdrawn from an anti-Naxal area since March.
- Two CoBRA battalions were sent to Manipur a few months earlier.
- At least three more battalions from Chhattisgarh and Odisha are proposed for withdrawal.
What has the CRPF done?
The Central Reserve Police Force has withdrawn a battalion of more than 1,000 personnel from Chhattisgarh's anti-Naxal operations area and sent it to Manipur. Officials told PTI that CRPF headquarters ordered the general duty battalion recalled to strengthen security in Manipur, where ethnic violence has continued for more than three years.
It is the first time a full battalion of a central armed police force has been pulled out of an anti-Naxal area since the Centre declared in March that armed Maoism had ended in the country.
Where was the battalion posted?
The unit was stationed in Sukma district in south Bastar, once a Maoist stronghold. It had spent several years on operations against left-wing extremism and, since March, had been clearing landmines and defusing improvised explosive devices.
CRPF headquarters has told nearby CRPF units and the state police to take over the posts and duties the battalion handled in Chhattisgarh.
Will the move leave a gap in Chhattisgarh?
Views differ. A senior Chhattisgarh Police officer believes the withdrawal could create a vacuum in the anti-Naxal set-up, because the battalion recently took part in a large drive to clear mines and IEDs from roads used by the public in Sukma.
A senior security official in Delhi took the opposite view, saying the drawdown reflects improving security in Maoist-affected areas and gives local police a bigger role in keeping law and order.
What is the situation in Manipur?
Manipur has seen a heavy deployment of security forces since ethnic violence broke out in May 2023. A few months ago the CRPF sent two battalions of its jungle warfare unit, the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), to the state, where regular CRPF units and the Rapid Action Force are also deployed.
Officials said the new deployment brings logistics and accommodation challenges, and instructions have been issued to make proper arrangements for the arriving personnel.
Are more battalions being moved?
The Delhi-based official said there is a proposal to withdraw at least three more paramilitary battalions from Naxal-affected areas of Chhattisgarh and Odisha. They could be deployed in Manipur and on the borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The CRPF has been the main central force in anti-Naxal operations, with more than one lakh personnel assigned to the task. In Chhattisgarh, once the region worst hit by left-wing extremism, it has had more than 25 regular and CoBRA battalions.
Frequently asked questions
Why has the CRPF moved a battalion from Chhattisgarh to Manipur?
CRPF headquarters ordered the move to strengthen security in Manipur amid ethnic violence that has continued for more than three years.
Where in Chhattisgarh was the battalion deployed?
It was stationed in Sukma district in south Bastar, where it had lately been clearing landmines and IEDs.
Is this the first such withdrawal?
Yes. It is the first full CAPF battalion withdrawn from an anti-Naxal area since the Centre declared armed Maoism over in March.
Will more forces leave Naxal-affected areas?
A senior security official said at least three more battalions from Chhattisgarh and Odisha are proposed for withdrawal, possibly for Manipur and the Pakistan and Bangladesh borders.
