A special wing of the State police, Odisha Swift Action Force (OSAF), formed on the lines of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), was launched here on Friday.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik attended the Raising Day ceremony of the OSAF at 7th OSAP Battalion Ground here. Three companies consisting of 316 personnel have been formed in the first phase. The OSAF will start functioning from the Rath Yatra on June 25 at Puri.
The force’s select police personnel have been drawn from various sections of the State police. The personnel have been trained in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh by the RAF on riot and crowd control.
The main responsibility of OSAF having the motto, “We serve, We Protect”, will be to manage crowds during major festivals, combat riots, serious law and order situations and terror attacks. They have been provided with special combat weapons and separate uniform.
The OSAF team will have riot control gears, tear smoke, weapons and a first aid kit. The force also is equipped with portable fire extinguishers, water cannons, Vajra riot control vehicle with multiple launcher and anti-riot guns. The force will be initially stationed at Cuttack, Rourkela and Baleswar.