The distinct nature of the RAF’s duties necessitates the use of non-lethal equipment and a different mindset to deal with tricky situations

The Indian civilisation is old and it has been a synthesis of cultures, religions, races, castes and creed. Thousands of years of syncretic culture have held their own despite the vast social and economic disparities. India thus represents a multi-cultural mosaic within an integrated nation. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and test of our civilisation.”

 Diversity does not mean inequalities but celebrates the differences between sectionalities while unity stands for integration and the bonds that hold our social fabric together. At the intersectionalities, the social fabric of the country sometimes gets frayed when emotions run high. While the Father of the Nation is known as the ‘apostle of peace’, India has witnessed the most gruesome riots, too. It is in this backdrop that the Rapid Action Force (RAF) was raised. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was already deployed across the country and dealing with internal security duties. Therefore, the CRPF was given the mandate to raise the RAF, which is a specialised force meant exclusively to deal with riots and riot-like conditions.

On October 8, 1992, the RAF was born as an integral part of the CRPF. A neutral, professional force, specialised in the task of riot-control, which reaches the site in “zero-response time,” it protects the vulnerable sections of  society and provides succour to the victims. Distinct from the other forces in their blue dungarees, the men and women of the RAF are trained professionals who understand mob psychology and are aware of the ethos and culture of the area.

The RAF was conceptualised to work on the principle of  “minimum use of force” with less lethal weapons and equipment, conforming to the graded approach to the use of force against rioters. The RAF has 15 battalions, which are numbered 99 to 108, and 83, 91, 97, 114, 194. Each is headed by an officer of the rank of Inspector-General. The smallest functional unit in the force is a team commanded by an inspector, which has three components, namely riot control, tear smoke element and fire element. It has been organised as an independent striking unit. One team in a company of the RAF comprises women personnel so as to deal more effectively with a situation where there are women demonstrators.

The President’s Colours is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon an armed unit and is presented in recognition of the invaluable contribution to the security of the nation during peace and in times of hostility. The RAF, with 11 glorious years of service, was presented the President’s Colours in October 2003.  The distinct and sensitive nature of the RAF’s duties necessitates the use of non-lethal equipment and a different mindset to deal with tricky situations. This duty is very different from that of the armed forces who are trained to deal with insurgency, militancy and warfare. The personnel are, therefore, put through a special pre-induction training at the RAF Academy of Public Order that was raised in 2013. Over the years, the academy has grown in stature and now provides training to State police forces besides foreign nationals. With 15 units deployed across the length and breadth of the nation, the RAF is able to reach the area of concern quickly and efficiently. In peace time, it undertakes famex or familiarisation exercises. The RAF routinely adopts villages in nearby areas and undertakes social responsibilities. Resultantly, the force has successfully contributed in the field of adult education and gender awareness.

 Working in the field of environment protection and climate change, too, the force has generated awareness about rain water harvesting, use of solar energy, plastic disposal and has worked towards reversing the loss of forest cover by planting more trees.

The proven credentials of the RAF and its unstinting work ethics have made it a force to reckon with. As part of the nation’s commitment to world peace, the force was sent on its first overseas deployment to Haiti in 1994. In 2000, RAF troops were deployed in Kosovo as it faced turmoil. The force continued for five years there, providing relief. The RAF created history in July 2007 by sending the world’s first female-formed unit to strife-torn Liberia. This was followed by nine other women-only contingents that are rotated annually. Male contingents were also deployed on six occasions.

The force has had an impeccable record in containing violent situations, especially communal riots. In the two months of its formation, the RAF was at the forefront of tackling communal violence that erupted after the demolition of  Babri Mosque in Ayodhya.

The RAF has rendered invaluable humanitarian services during the 1993 floods in Delhi, the 1994 Delhi riots, the plague in Surat, the 1995 floods in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, the 1997 super cyclone in Odisha, the 2004 tsunami in South India and during heavy floods in Maharashtra and Gujarat (2005, 2006, 2011 and 2012). During the Mumbai terror attack in 2008, the RAF was deployed to cordon off the area around the Oberoi Trident and the Taj Mahal hotels. Apart from controlling riots, the RAF performs law and order duties, crowd management during festivals and agitations, election duties and VVIP duties.

A force with a human touch, the RAF has proved its credentials over the 28 years of its raising. An unflinching dedication to duty, service before self and sensitive policing are the hallmark of this force. On its 28th Anniversary, the RAF rededicates itself to the service of India and her people.

(The writer is DIG, CRPF)