The Rapid Action Force (RAF) is a specialised wing of the
Indian CRPF (
Central Reserve Police Force). It was established on 11 December 1991 and became fully operational in October 1992, to deal with riots & related unrest. It currently has 10
battalions which are numbered 99 to 108 in the CRPF.
Riot Control
This elite force has made its impact against the rioters and restored the confidence of the people. It has been very effective in dealing with communal violence, as well as terrorist attacks such as the November 26th attacks.
26 November 2008 Mumbai attacks<gallery>Image: <img src= "http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/video_streaming.php"|A RAF soldier during the 2008 Mumbai Terrorist Attacks</gallery>
Humanitarian Activities
RAF has also succeeded in projecting the human face of the Government and built bridges with the public by carrying out prompt rescue and relief operations during floods, earthquakes, cyclones and outbreak of epidemics in various parts of the country.
Operations in the aftermath of the 1999 cyclone
During the super-
cyclone that hit
Orissa in October 1999, six companies of RAF were deployed and carried out rescue and relief operations in five of the state's worst affected districts. Ten of the force's medical teams treated about 20,000 patients and provided much-needed medical and other assistance to the victims. CRPF personnel cremated about 300 decomposed bodies...
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