New Delhi: In a departure from over two decade-old tradition, the country’s largest paramilitary force CRPF has decided to celebrate its foundation day at its cradle in Neemuch, a historic town in Madhya Pradesh which served as the nerve centre of the 1857 mutiny.
With the decision to hold its 76th Raising Day in the military town on July 27, the CRPF has put an end to hosting the celebrations in the national capital region for over two decades.
“History tells us that the last time the anniversary day parade was held in the Neemuch base was in 1993 when the then Union Minister of State for Home Rajesh Pilot officiated as the chief guest. Since then, the anniversary has been held at varied times in the months of October-November in Delhi or nearby locations for various reasons,” a senior official at the forces’ headquarters here said.
Neemuch is known as the ‘birth place of CRPF’, the official added.
The force’s first battalion was raised there on July 27, 1939 as the Crown Representative’s Police (CRP) under the British rule. Post Independence, in 1949, it was re-christened as the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) under the Indian Union by the first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to take the salute at an impressive parade as the chief guest but confirmation from his office is still awaited. Singh is likely to be busy with Parliament session next month.
“The idea to take the celebrations of the annual anniversary day back to the force’s cradle was mooted by CRPF Director General Prakash Mishra recently. A huge exercise is underway to hold the event there again after over two decades,” the official added.
During the 1857 mutiny, records state, revolutionaries had taken the Neemuch Cantonment from the British after a violent uprising and made it their command headquarters for some time.
PTI
