CRPF to show strength, hold Raising Day in Jammu
*Aimed at sending clear message to militants, across
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Feb 17: For the first time in the history of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the premier paramilitary force will celebrate its Raising Day, also called as the ‘CRPF Day’, in Jammu on March 19 amidst reports that Union Home Minister Amit Shah and his deputy Nityanand Rai will join the function.
To make this year’s Raising Day special, the CRPF is likely to hold functions for four days beginning March 16 and concluding with address by the Union Home Minister on March 19.
The CRPF Headquarters here have received formal communication of changeover of this year’s Raising Day from New Delhi or National Capital Region (NCR) to Jammu, official sources told the Excelsior.
They said two venues are under consideration for holding the function including MA Stadium and CRPF Group Centre Bantalab Grounds. However, going by the VVIP participation, the authorities are likely to choose MA Stadium for the main function which will be joined by Shah and Rai.
Barring twice when the Raising Day of CRPF was observed at Nimach (North Indian Mounted Artillery and Cavalry Headquarters) in Madhya Pradesh, the para-military force’s annual functions have always been held in New Delhi and NCR and this will be for the first time when the function has been shifted out of these places to be held at Jammu.
“Jammu has been chosen as CRPF is playing major role in anti-militancy operations in Jammu and Kashmir and is instrumental in killing of several militants in the Union Territory especially in the Valley,” reliable sources said, adding the paramilitary force will show its strength with the function in Jammu.
Officials said since there are a large number of troops deployed in the Union Territory, holding the Raising Day in Jammu, as finalised by DG CRPF Kuldeep Singh, will send a positive message across.
If matured, this will be Amit Shah’s second visit to Jammu and Kashmir during last five months. He had visited the UT for four days from October 23-27, 2021 when he addressed various functions in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
“Holding CRPF’s Raising Day in Jammu is aimed at sending another message to the militants in Jammu and Kashmir and their mentors across the border that security forces were fully geared up to face all challenges and dismantle the terror ecosystem,” sources said.
Sources said the programmes will start from March 16 with the Director General’s Parade followed by the Station Officer’s dinner. On March 19, the CRPF will hold wreath-laying ceremony at Martyr’s memorial and the CRPF Day Parade followed by the cultural and ‘Badakhana’ programmes, where all top officials will join the jawans over lunch or dinner, as per the schedule.
It may be mentioned here that the Border Security Force (BSF) had also shifted it’s Raising Day from Delhi-NCR to Jaisalmer in Rajasthan last year.
“This is for the first time when a paramilitary force is shifting its Raising Day venue from Delhi-NCR to Jammu and Kashmir. After the abrogation of Article 370, terrorism is in control in the UT. There are fewer incidents of pelting and infiltration. It would be better to celebrate the day here to give a positive message, especially from the place where the force has the highest deployment and maximum operations,” the officials said.
As per the sources, this time, the day will be called the ‘CRPF Day’ and the parade held to mark the occasion will also be called the same instead of the ‘Anniversary Day Parade’.
The CRPF is the only Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) in the country which deviated from its original date of creation, picked up to celebrate the occasion every year on one of the four symbolic dates associated with it.
The choice of date from March to December varied every year in the past depending on various factors required for conducting the function including weather and availability of chief guests.
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