NEW DELHI: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Sunday withdrew a battalion of more than 1,000 personnel from Chhattisgarh’s anti-Naxal operations theatre and moved it to Manipur to strengthen security deployment amid continuing ethnic violence in the state.The move marks the first complete withdrawal of a Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) battalion from the anti-Naxal theatre since the Centre declared the end of armed Maoism in the country in March.The battalion was stationed in Sukma district, part of the south Bastar region that was once a major Maoist stronghold. It had been involved in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) operations for several years and was subsequently engaged in de-mining and defusing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) after March, news agency PTI reported citing officals.“The CRPF headquarters has ordered the de-induction of a general duty battalion from Chhattisgarh and directed it to move to Manipur, where ethnic violence has been simmering for more than three years now. This is the first full withdrawal of any paramilitary unit from the anti-Naxal operations theatre following the declaration that armed Maoism in the country ended in March,” news agency PTI quoted a senior security officer based in Delhi as saying.The force had deployed two battalions of its specialised jungle warfare unit, the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), in Manipur a few months ago. Other regular CRPF units and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) have also been stationed in the state.
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The latest deployment comes with logistical and accommodation challenges for security personnel. Officials said instructions have been issued to ensure suitable arrangements for the incoming battalion. Manipur has witnessed a significant deployment of security forces since ethnic violence broke out in May 2023.The CRPF has been the lead central force in anti-Naxal operations, with more than one lakh personnel deployed for the task. Its presence in Chhattisgarh, once the most violence-affected theatre of Left Wing Extremism, included over 25 regular and CoBRA battalions.